Mayor Gene Zick said plans for the new park located on Armory Drive are moving along and people should start seeing progress this spring if weather permits.

Right now the area of the proposed park leaves somewhat of a question about when and what could be put there. The land, which was donated by the Rockwell corporation to the city of Russellville over two years ago, is currently a mud pit full of rocks, which doesn’t seem to be much of a park.

Zick said the mud is a result of top soil being moved in mixed with a rainy winter but assures citizens that as soon as the weather dries a beautiful park will begin to take form which will be an asset to Logan County as a whole.

The park will be paid for by a $1.5 million gift from the state Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) and was taken from the multi-million dollar Rockwell International Corp. settlement. The money was initially awarded to Russellville in December 2007.

Rockwell International was Russellville’s first major industry over 50 years ago. The industry paid record penalties to the cabinet to settle a long-standing pollution case related to the release of cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from its former plant in Russellville.

Park plans show two state-of-the-art soccer and baseball diamonds complete with artificial turf, a skateboard park, climbing wall, trails, a wetland for educational study, restrooms, concession facilities, a playground and plenty of parking.

Zick said during the last week’s city council meeting that the largest soccer field was going to be the first to be constructed as to catch the summer’s events.

The mayor has been talking and visiting with several suppliers in the artificial turf industry trying to find the best, most cost efficient and environmentally friendly artificial turf to purchase for the fields. Lighting for the park has also been discussed by council and mayor and costs are being investigated as well.