The Visalia, CA. City Council on Monday will consider whether to approve plans to build the final phase of Riverway Sports Park.

Riverway, in northeast Visalia, opened in 2007, and has become a popular spot because of its numerous soccer and ball fields, as well as it’s playground and water play area.

But only phase one of the five-phase project had been completed at that time — including 10 soccer fields, three sheltered picnic areas, two restroom/concession facilities, two playgrounds, one water feature, parking and general park amenities on 46 acres.

Over the years three additional phases have been finished, adding 20 acres to the park.

At a recent Visalia City Council retreat, the members directed city staff to design phase five, and the city Parks and Recreation Commission voted last month on a design that includes four softball fields with fences at the 300-foot mark located 300 feet from home plate to accommodate adult and youth play.

This design is consistent with the master plan for the park the council approved 15 years ago, according to a report to the City Council.

The fields also would include lighting, a concession/restroom building, parking, warm-up areas for teams, landscaping and park amenities similar to what already has been developed in other areas of the park, the report states.

The new phase will occur in what is now a temporary storm drain basin in the southwest portion of the park. Work cannot begin until a storm drain pipeline is installed along Shannon Parkway, and the drain work may not occur until after construction is finished next year on a new city elementary school in the area.

As for when construction on Phase V may begin, the council directed staff to have the plans “shelf ready,” so the city could take action quickly once funds for the project become available.

The park design will be discussed during the council’s work session, which begins at 4 p.m. at the City Council Chambers at 707 W. Acequia Ave.

That will be followed by a close-session meeting immediately afterward, and the regular session will begin at 7 p.m. View the meeting agenda online at www.ci.visalia.ca.us.