A unique collaboration between City of Amarillo (COA) departments has resulted in an even more unique playground for the entire Amarillo community. Thanks to grant money from the COA Community Development Department, the COA Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has funded the new Thompson Park Playground, a one-of-a-kind playground designed to welcome children and adults of all abilities. A ribbon-cutting for the new Thompson Park Playground is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday (October 17) at Thompson Park. The public is welcome to attend. “The entire Amarillo community can appreciate this investment in our parks,” said PARD Director Michael Kashuba. “The Community Development Department grant made it all possible. We are excited to officially present this special playground to Amarillo.” Funding for the playground was made possible through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and bond totaling approximately $1.97 million. The playground provides play opportunities to children of all abilities in communities in the CDBG areas. The playground is designed to support many physical, sensory, cognitive and developmental needs. It promotes social interaction and ensures every child can participate in meaningful, active play. “This playground is such an important investment in the future of the city,” said Community Development Managing Director Jason Riddlespurger. “We were thrilled to be able to help with the grant funding and to work with our Parks and Recreation Department. This is something the whole city can celebrate.”

For the first time in more than a decade, hot air balloons will fill the Amarillo sky as the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department (along with Pirates of the Canyon) provides “Pirates of the Park.” The unique and free to the public two-part event will feature 25 hot air balloons taking off from John Stiff Memorial Park on October 25 beginning at 7 a.m. Parking lots to watch the takeoff open at 5 a.m. Evening festivities include trick-or-treating for kids from the hot air balloons beginning at 6 p.m. and a Balloon Glow event at 7 p.m. “Pirates of the Park brings back a fun and exciting event for the Amarillo community,” said City of Amarillo Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation (PARD) Becki Dryer. “This is a unique two-part event that residents can enjoy throughout the day.” Pirates of the Park includes: For more information, go to: www.amarilloparks.org/programs-events/capture-the-season

The City of Amarillo will welcome the beginning of its newest fire station – Fire Station 14 – with a groundbreaking event scheduled for Tuesday (October 14) at 11 a.m. The public is welcome. The new $7.3 million station, approved by city council in July, will be located in northwest Amarillo at 810 Quail Creek Drive. The two-story facility will consist of nearly 19,000 square feet and will include training space for all of the Amarillo Fire Department (AFD). Construction is estimated at 13-14 months, depending on weather conditions. To see all AFD fire stations, go to: fire.amarillo.gov/stations/

A sanitary sewer main project is closing a portion of S.E. Fourth Ave. between South Polk Street and South Taylor Street. The project is underway, extending the sewer line from S.E. Fourth Ave. north into the alleyway in the public right-of-way and tying into existing infrastructure. The contractor will install new eight-inch sewer pipe and restore street and alley surfaces. S.E. Fourth Ave. will be closed to through traffic. Vehicles will be permitted to enter if accessing nearby businesses or parking lots. Residents and motorists should be aware of closed intersections and/or alleyways, posted signs related to construction, contractor personnel and equipment in work zones. The contractor will minimize impact to the public as much as possible. Motorists are advised to please heed all traffic signs. The anticipated completion of the project is scheduled for December, weather permitting. For more information or questions concerning this project, please call the City of Amarillo Capital Projects & Development Engineering Department at (806) 378-9334 or email construction@amarillo.gov