[Source: Mike Walbert, Arizona Republic] -- The ideas for how to create a park in downtown Gilbert underneath the water tower have been flowing for the past year. Now Gilbert is gathering the public, officials and stakeholders to bottle that bubbling input into one cohesive plan. Gilbert is aiming to wrap up the design process and start utility work by the end of May, town spokesman Greg Svelund said. The whole project could be finished around late spring or summer 2008, Svelund said. According to plans, the park would sit underneath Gilbert's 120-foot-tall water tower and feature landscaping and yet-to-be-finalized amenities.One amenity that Svelund said is "pretty much a done deal" is a water feature. Gilbert has studied several traditional and non-traditional water fountains, as well as other water features, he said. "It's going to be a fairly prominent aspect of the park," Svelund said. Officials and local stakeholders have expressed interest in other features such as a small outdoor performance area, trail connections, shade and seating. Gilbert secured a $312,000 Arizona Heritage Fund grant last year to pay for part of the park. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
