City of Coeur d’Alene spokesman Keith Erickson talked about the finished areas of McEuen Park in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday. The city plans to open part of the rebuilt park on Friday and the rest of it shortly before Memorial Day. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

The ambitious and hotly debated reconstruction of a major park in downtown Coeur d’Alene is nearly finished. Part of the new McEuen Park next to Tubbs Hill will open next Friday, with the rest of the 20-acre site expected to open a week before Memorial Day. “It’s been a long, sometimes bumpy road, but I’m very excited about the park we’ll be giving the community,” said Bill Greenwood, the city’s interim parks director. “I’m anxious about getting out there and having it all done,” Greenwood added. After more than a year of construction that included rebuilding Front Avenue and tucking parking below the street, some of the fences finally are coming down. Residents initially will have access to a sprawling playground and splash pad, ball courts and a small off-leash area for dogs. They’ll also be able to use new paths circling the park/Scott Maben, SR. More here.

Question: Do you plan to visit the new McEuen Field after the soft opening next weekend?