Residents, Officials Gather for Groundbreaking on Phoenix
Center
Jan. 17, 2002
City officials and neighborhood residents will gather this Saturday, January 19 at 1:30 p.m. to break ground on a recreation center named for a Phoenix police officer killed in the line of duty.
The 2,915 square foot Marc Atkinson Recreation Center, at 4535 N. 23rd Avenue, will include a 1,640 square foot multipurpose room, a police office and a community room for recreational programs and meetings. Mayor Skip Rimsza, Congressman Ed Pastor and Councilman Phil Gordon will be present at the groundbreaking.
The center was named for Officer Atkinson at the request of residents of the Westwood Community, where the center is located. The community has a longstanding relationship with the Phoenix Police Department and residents wanted to honor that relationship and Officer Atkinson's commitment to youth and family.
"While nothing can replace the impact Marc had on his family and community," said Councilman Phil Gordon, "perhaps this park will serve as a memorial to his commitment to making Phoenix a better and safer place to live."
Kid Street Park, where the future recreation center is located, was opened in December 2000. The 2.2 acre park includes volleyball courts, a playground, basketball courts, picnic areas and open play space.
Money from the 2001 bond election; a general city budget appropriation; a Community Development Block grant; a federal Housing and Urban Development grant; and donations from the Stardust and Parks foundations are funding the center's construction. The Parks Foundation is an independent non-profit agency that collects donations from private sources for parks-related projects.
Media Contact:
| David Urbinato |
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