Preliminary plan for NK’s Criss Cross Park unveiled

A conceptual drawing of sports fields, equestrian rings, pedestrian trails, and an amphitheater as attractions in New Kent’s proposed 100-acre, centrally located park is under study by the county’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.

But parks officials stress that the design is only preliminary. A final master plan that the commission will present to the county’s Board of Supervisors in a few months could be substantially different.

Dubbed for now as Criss Cross Park, the 100-acre site has been donated to the county by developers of New Kent Vineyards and is located on the north side of Interstate 64, just behind the westbound rest area.

During last Wednesday’s commission meeting, members learned that survey work at the site is complete. Just over 64 acres are deemed suitable for intensive recreational activities such as baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields.

The remaining 36 acres are either wetlands or designated as Resource Protection Area (RPA) under Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act provisions. That means no playing fields, but the land could be utilized for less intense purposes that include walking trails and nature-related activities.

From last October through January, the commission hosted monthly sessions to entertain the public’s view on park amenities. The group received suggestions from 66 county residents. County parks and general services staff then worked to incorporate as many of the most popular requests as space would allow.

The conceptual plan features six baseball/softball diamonds, four in a cluster based on Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth standards for youth and the other two accommodating adults. There are also four fields designated for youth soccer and football along with two larger fields labeled for adults. A third adult soccer/football field includes bleachers and a concession stand and could become the home venue for the county’s Falcon youth football program.

For horse enthusiasts, there are competition and practice riding rings. Nearby are two courts for basketball and one for tennis while a lengthy trail for walkers, joggers, and equestrian use winds around the park’s perimeter and through land designated as RPA.

Designers have included an amphitheater for hosting concerts, special events, and fund-raisers. Also, there are two playground sites, a picnic shelter, and a nature area.

Graveled parking lots can accommodate 600-650 vehicles. A separate parking area on grass is located adjacent to the equestrian rings.

“Everything is included but the paved and lit walking trails. Those would have cost lots of money,” parks and recreation director Matt Spruill told commission members.

Spruill labeled the conceptual drawing a good starting point, and already there is movement among commission members to fit in two additional multipurpose sports fields, reducing what some call “wasted space.”

Commission member Charles Moss suggested the amphitheater could be eliminated in favor of more sports fields. Additional fields could lead to the park becoming a tournament destination, thus pulling in revenue for the county.

But parks staff countered that the overall concept centers on the park featuring attractions for all county residents, not just those interested in league sports on the youth or adult levels.

With any plan, however, comes cost. Parks officials estimate $4.5 million to $6.5 million will be needed to build out the conceptual plan. For now, the county’s yet to be approved Capital Improvement Plan lists only $250,000 for Criss Cross Park in each of the next four years.

Thus parks officials admit a final, supervisor-approved master plan must be built in phases, meaning the sound of “Play ball!” is many months and perhaps years away.

During meetings over the next few months, commission members are expected to tweak the Criss Cross layout in preparation of a master plan. In the meantime, parks officials are inviting public comment and suggestions concerning the conceptual drawing. Staff members can be reached at 966-8502.

The public is invited to attend commission meetings. The next meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on May 14 in the county’s old courthouse.