Plans for Redskins training camp park unveiled - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Final plans for the new park near the Washington Redskins training camp in Richmond were released Tuesday evening at a community meeting at the nearby Science Museum of Virginia. The park is slated to have a three-tier outdoor amphitheater, open space, walking trails, exercise equipment and musical toy installations for children.

These plans come after an uproar over trees being chopped down to make way for the site. However, most people at the meeting seemed to be pleased with the renderings. The Richmond Economic Development Authority and its engineering consultants, 3North and Timmons Group, say they based their drawings off the community's feedback.

"I think what they designed will be very beautiful once it's done," said attendee Monica Marlow. "It was a shame that there were trees taken away. But hopefully what they will replace it with will be amiable to the community."

Richmond Economic Development Authority Chairman Richard Johnson says more trees will be planted than were plowed over.

"The mayor was very serious about that. There was never a doubt about that. The EDA is very serious about that," said Johnson.

The Science Museum of Virginia is planning to help identify and post placards for all of the different tree species that will be planted.

One issue that hasn't yet been worked out is parking when the Redskins are in town. About a thousand people can fit in the amphitheater section of the park, alone. That doesn't include all of the fans who will be lined up along the perimeter of the fields. Some residents expressed concern about where all of the spectators would park during events.

"The city's office of economic and community development is working on a variety of locations to secure parking, and have shuttle buses to bring folks in," answered Johnson.

The park and training camp are set to be completed by June 30. So far, Johnson says the construction is on schedule.

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.