Following an executive session to discuss a possible property purchase Thursday, the Vader City Council decided to move forward with the acquisition of land to double the size of J.K. Werden Memorial Park.
While the council had approved the land purchase pending the support of its attorney in June, finalizing the acquisition was put on hold because a soil analysis was required.
The city has not yet tested soil of the parcel belonging to the Vader Assembly of God Church.
The council approved testing five samples of earth 6 to 12 inches deep and moving forward with the purchase simultaneously.
Councilor Kevin Flynn said if something is found in the soil, the scientist working with the city said it would just need to bulldoze 2 inches of dirt from the top of the land.
The $7,000 parcel is being paid for with a $10,000 grant from BNSF. The soil testing will cost an additional $1,200 to $1,400.
“That’s still within an acceptable range of the monies we have,” Flynn said.
The current park is about 175 by 120 feet and has a small cement basketball court, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, a swing set and the original city jail.
