Four years in the making, the City of Cypress has finally opened Lexington Park, a facility that drew quite a bit of ire from some residents during its construction and has now opened to the public.
“This is truly a special occasion,” said Cypress Mayor Paulo Morales, according to a video played back to the City Council at its March 28 meeting.
“The fantastic part is that you’re enjoying the result of a long-standing partnership,” said Morales, acknowledging the donation by Los Alamitos Race Course owner Edward Allred of 10 acres that made the park possible.
Morales said 15 months of construction then turned the abandoned golf course into a “first-class park” that will support the growth and development of the next generation by providing them a safe place to play.
Recreation Director Jeffrey Draper said more than 3,000 of the city’s residents turned out for the March 12 dedication and grand opening ceremonies.
He said residents were busy enjoying the multi-use sports court, including pickleball, and were organized in family play on the city’s two new athletic fields, while food trucks kept residents well fed.
The fun continued throughout the afternoon at the city’s newest park and the festive afternoon was capped off with a twilight concert featuring Knight Rider.
“Even though recreation gets all the credit for hosting a grand opening, as mayor Morales said in the video, Lexington Park took about four years from start to finish,” said Draper. “That being said, it was an enormous task and … it was truly a team effort.”
During oral communications, several people lauded the new facility.
Jeff Dronkers, a member of the AYSO sports league board said, “Lexington Park is a game-changer.” He said the league has 75 teams, and 23 practice fields, necessitating multiple sessions and “making do with what we have.”
He said Lexington Park immediately raises practice field use by 50 percent for the league. “For me, this was a brass ring, and you only get a few of those, so thank you very much to the Council,” he said.
“Our boys and our girls are so much safer on that park now,” said Kristin Jackson, and “it’s a huge space.” Previously, she said, teams played their soccer games on a modified field without as much space as a “full-size soccer field.”
“To watch these boys, and girls, play on a field where they can actually pass and move is really heartwarming to us,” she said.
Activist Brittney Cook lauded city staff and sports officials who were proactive in answering her questions and concerns, though she still wished the city had built different park amenities.
“I still wish it was something else but listen, I can wish that all I want but it’s not a detriment, not a bad thing, and every promise made to my neighborhood was kept,” said Cook.
“Shaded pavilions for barbecue provide friends and family a place to gather and celebrate, colorful diverse playgrounds, sports courts for volleyball, basketball, and pickleball and a walking path with outdoor exercise stations make Lexington Park an attraction for our entire community,” said Morales.
The mayor said lots of extra parking with high-tech lighting is planned for LexPark, along with security systems to ensure it enhances the neighborhoods that surround it.
He proudly extols the new development as “a unique addition to Cypress’ network of 21 parks.”
