Mission opens renovated, all-inclusive Lions Park

The city of Mission celebrated the reopening of Lions Park Thursday morning, now the city’s first all-inclusive park with innovative amenities geared toward making the park accessible to residents of all ages and abilities.

 

The park boasts an impressive array of accessible features, things like a splash pad, a multi-generational basketball court and a barrier-free play area.

 

There’s a bike training area for toddlers. An accessible zipline. A 25-foot tower with a slide, outfitted for a belt, so kids who use wheelchairs aren’t left just watching the fun.

 

 

Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza said Thursday that the park is a testament to the community’s commitment to equality.

 

“I would have never imagined that this park would have become an even more wonderful place to be, where everyone can play together,” she said. “And play together without barriers.”

 

The $5 million renovation broke ground in 2021.

 

Originally, the park was slated to open in the summer of 2024.

 

 

Delays pushed the opening back significantly.

 

With an excited crowd in front of him and a completed, state of the art park behind him, Mission Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair Tony Guerrero poked a little fun at the delay Thursday.

 

“I know we made a lot of promises four years ago, that we all did, that the park would be ready in August. I lied,” he joked.

 

Guerrero said the park represented city leadership’s commitment to a vision that stretches back over a decade.

 

“It was tough. But the dreams, they come true,” he said.

 

Richard Reyna and his grandson, Riley James, were two of the first Mission residents to get to use the park Thursday morning.

 

Reyna pushed Riley on an accessible zipline, Riley smiling and shouting in glee.

 

Reyna says the park and its facilities were needed in Mission — a sentiment Riley appeared to agree with.

 

“He wants to go again!” Reyna laughed, lining Riley up for another push.