Army Lt. Col. Edgar Montalvo, an engr, said the key to the project has been the cooperation with the local govt. “The gov. of Kirkuk was extremely pleased with the project,” Montalvo said. “This project allows the city to look to the future with optimism and helps provide the people of Kirkuk, from all ethnic groups, a place to enjoy their common heritage and culture in a peaceful setting, while providing recreational opportunity for children and families.”
A professional designer has been working with the contractor to assist with the design of the parks. All of the sites are located in urban neighborhoods and include a grass soccer field, a playground for small children and a picnic area with benches. The parks will have prefabricated buildings to house a guard shack, concession stand and utility room. Wells were dug and an underground sprinkler system is being installed at each park to maintain grassy areas.
All of the 2-acre parks are enclosed by an 8-foot wall, and area lighting provides a safe and secure area for children and families during the evening hours. A back-up generator will provide electricity to the parks during electrical grid power interruptions.
The Gulf Region Div., USACE in Iraq, has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. and Iraqi govts. Since 2004, GRD has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq, and has 361 projects ongoing.
