Cameron County officials break ground on Santa Maria Community Park

SANTA MARIA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Cameron County held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday for the construction of the Santa Maria Community Park.

The park will be situated on an approximately 10.83-acre tract of land and will be maintained and operated by the Cameron County Parks & Recreation Department. It is located in the southwest corner of Cameron County on U.S. Route 281 (Military Highway).

"This project is four years in the making. The county did have a county park in the area, but the property was owned by the Catholic Church, and so they wanted the property back. It took a lot of advocacy in Austin, and working with our counterpart in D.C.," said Cameron County Commissioner PCT. 4 Gus Ruiz.

The new park will include a splash pad, a covered basketball court, a lighted soccer field, a lighted baseball field, playground equipment, and other supporting amenities.

The total construction cost for the development of the park is about $6.1 million. Funded by grants from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and Cameron County Certificates of Obligation.

Weather permitting the construction should be completed in 10 to 12 months.