Waterleigh residents heard the results of a survey regarding a community park in their Horizon West neighborhood during a meeting hosted Wednesday, Nov. 30, by Orange County Government. They also were given another chance to share their opinions on park amenities.

Nicole Wilson, District 1 county commissioner, expressed gratitude to the residents in attendance and stressed the importance of their continued involvement as the five-acre park project progresses.

“I am thrilled to engage the community about what they want to see at their park and am excited to work with our Parks and Rec team to make the residents’ vision a reality,” Wilson said. “Waterleigh is a beautiful and vibrant community, and this neighborhood park will add to the quality of life for residents as well as to the value of their neighborhood by providing desirable recreational and natural features.”

Following the first community meeting in September, a survey was provided for residents to state their preferences in amenities. Grant Wenrick, landscape architect for the county, said there were more than 500 responses — the most ever for a community park survey.

“It’s a very vibrant community,” Wenrick said. “Waterleigh provides a nice relief from the busy areas.”

A total of 519 survey responses were recorded.

The top request was a half basketball court, followed by shade trees, paved walking path/sidewalk, picnic pavilion, playground for ages 2 to 12, picnic tables, multipurpose field/open space, mini skate park, fitness area/exercise stations, community garden, dog park, multipurpose court for tennis/pickleball, disc golf, tennis court and sand volleyball court.

The park is budgeted at $1.2 million, with design costs at $200,000, contractor at $235,071, site improvements at $75,868 and amenities at $680,973.

Based on the survey results, the county tentatively budgeted for these amenities: two half basketball courts, landscape, paved walking paths, a picnic pavilion, playground and picnic tables and multipurpose field.

The park design was presented at the meeting as well. The half basketball courts and several benches are placed on the south end of the park close to Atwater Bay Drive. A row of pine trees will be placed south of the courts to buffer them from the neighborhood entrance and on the park’s west side to act as a buffer for a future elementary…