The city of Mexico Parks and Recreation Department will be sending out a survey this month and included will be questions about a new entrance for Tyronn Lue Park.

The issue was discussed at the recent Parks and Recreation Board meeting on Monday, Oct. 2. A few years ago the city was set on a plan and ready to go out for bid for an entrance to come in off of Green Boulevard. However, the plan was put on hold when some city council members wanted to explore different ideas.

Some want the city to consider bringing the entrance into the park off of Tyronn Lue Boulevard instead of the original plan. However, that plan has some challenges including the cost. Although things changed when the city had engineers initially work on the project it was about an $85,000 difference in costs to come in off of Lue Boulevard.

According to impromptu surveys by board members, most of the people in favor of bringing the entrance off of Lue Boulevard live in the neighborhood. Most people who have expressed an interest in the original plan live outside of the neighborhood.

“I don’t know which one is right or wrong,” Parks and Recreation Director Chad Shoemaker told board members. “We just have to decide what we’re going to do.”

Shoemaker said some members of the current city council makeup are also asking questions.

“The fact that they’ve asked for more information means they’re hearing from people too,” Shoemaker said.

In addition to the cost, there are also logistical issues with bringing an entrance off of Lue Boulevard including the slope of that side of the park. Engineers have said the options of where the entrance could go are limited leading to another issue. If the entrance did come in off of Lue Boulevard it would require more roadway into the park.

“The more roadway you build the more park you’re using up,” Shoemaker said. “You’re burning up green space.”

Coming in off of Lue Boulevard would also limit where a parking lot could be located and Shoemaker said there is only one spot that would work for parking.

One of the reasons neighborhood folks gave for wanting the entrance off of Lue Boulevard was for safety. Shoemaker said that concern can be played both ways.

“Is it more dangerous to have a bunch of more cars driving through the neighborhood?” Shoemaker asked.

Regardless of what opinions are the city may be forced to go with the original plan simply because of the costs. Shoemaker said for what the city would spend on getting an entrance off of Lue Boulevard the city could pave the parking lot with the extra money.

“Sometimes the answer is we can’t afford it,” Shoemaker said.

Tyronn Lue Park is the only property in the system that has a shelter that is not compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA). Shoemaker said it’s more than past due until the project gets completed.

“We’re like 25, 35 years past ADA,” Shoemaker said. “We should have done that by now.”