While asphalt has been installed on the walking track at Crosby Commons, the gates allowing public access to the new amenity remain locked. Picayune’s newest walking track will remain closed for about another week while city employees complete finishing touches on the project.
Public Works Director Eric Morris said the reason the gates are locked is because the track is not yet ready for public use. Hydroseed sprayed on the slopes of the track was also sprayed on the sides of the asphalt. The hydroseed will be removed from the asphalt through pressure washing. The hydroseeding process will prevent erosion of the slopes installed along the asphalt.
Morris said the track will officially open on Nov. 7 at 6 a.m. Until lighting is installed along the route of the track, the park will only be open during certain hours. Those hours will be from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. Between those hours, which will be displayed on soon-to-be installed signs at access points, the public can enter the park through one of several walk-through gates. The larger gates will remain locked for the time being. There are two walkthrough gates facing Goodyear Boulevard and two facing Sixth Avenue.
The city is opening the walking track before lighting is installed due to a public interest in using it, Morris said.
“Since we have had such an outcry from the public, we want to let them use it,” Morris said.
During off-hours the park will be closed, and gates that allow access will be locked.
Once lights are installed in the park, residents will have access to the park after the sun goes down, Morris said.
Installation of the lights will be conducted during the next phase, which Morris estimates will begin during the first part of the next calendar year. That part of the project will also install crosswalks and several other amenities to the park. Morris said there is a possibility construction of the amphitheater will begin at that time as well, but is not set in stone.