Construction to Begin on E.K. Atwood Park

Cameron County is pleased to announce the construction of the new improvements at E.K. Atwood Park located at 27159 State Park Rd 100-South, on South Padre Island at Cameron County Beach Access No.5. A ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for February 3, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. E.K. Atwood Park was originally constructed in 1996. The park attracts thousands of visitors annually and is a popular place for our beach visitors especially during the summer months. In 2015, due to safety concerns the County decided to close the existing pavilion. This prompted the decision to restore the park and make the necessary improvements that will better serve our beach V1S1 tOrS.

The new improvements include an elevated plaza structure with five pavilions and picnic tables, two restrooms, community rinse stations, two new dune walkover structures, five designated parking areas for food truck concessions and other associated improvements. The parking area will have ADA parking and will be constructed using a pervious paving system that is environmentally friendly. The parking lots unique construction will reduce storm water run-off by allowing rain water to infiltrate through the pavement and subsoil beneath, resulting in much cleaner run-off water making its way back into our water ways and groundwater. “I’m looking forward to the new improvements at E.K. Atwood Park. The improvements to this popular beach access area will result in positive changes that children and families will benefit for years to come’, said Commissioner Sofia C. Benavides.

E.K. Atwood Park is the first project of the $20 million in Coastal Park Improvements that Cameron County will undertake. The cost for this project is approximately $3.75 million. Funding for this project is financed through bonds and paid by the beach user fees. The beach user fee was recently increased to $10.00 to pay for improvements to the gulf side amenities at Isla Blanca Park, Andy Bowie Park, Cameron County Beach Access No.3 and E.K. Atwood Park.

“Our County Coastal Parks on South Padre Island are a destination for many visitors. These parks offer an array of amenities and recreational opportunities. I’m excited to see improvements to E.K. Atwood Park and I’m also excited about all the improvements to come to the rest of the County’s Coastal Parks’, said Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr.

“The goal of the Cameron County Parks & Recreation Department is to improve the quality of life for our park visitors by making the necessary improvements to our community and coastal parks in order to make our parks a safer and better place for our visitors to enjoy.” said Joe E. Vega, Parks Director.

Weather permitting; the construction should be complete by mid to late summer.

The Architectural Firm working on this Project is Gomez, Mendez, Saenz, Inc., the Engineering Firm is Green, Rubiano, & Associates Inc. and the General Contractor selected for the construction is Bryant Industrial Service.