ROANOKE RAPIDS — The park at fifth and Vance Streets is closed for a couple of months while Rivers R&D and other local crews give the place a facelift.

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For years, the park’s creek has caught storm water, channeled it to Rochelle Pond and eventually into the river. Over the years, the creek has cut out quite a ravine which in some places is more than 6 feet deep. With neighborhood children playing in the park it’s become a danger.

“This is a safety hazard for children and adults,” said Tom Potter, project manager for Rivers. Crews started work Monday and expect to take about two and a half months to finish. During that time they’ll be grading slopes, shoring up creek banks, taking out trees and removing debris. “I’m happy about this work,” said neighbor Angel Sunga. “It will make it safer for the children.” Sunga has a six-year-old daughter.

Potter said early on there had been concerns from neighbors about some of the big oaks being removed during the work. “We’re not taking out as many now. We listened to the neighbors and we’re only taking out the ones we have to,” he said. “Those trees will be used in the park project.”

The project is made possible with a grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, totaling about $700,000. The City of Roanoke Rapids through Parks and Recreation and Public Utilities is providing about $130,000 in in-kind contributions. It is providing about 20 jobs, some local.

“We hope what we’re doing will improve the park. We don’t want it to turn into a big gully,” said Potter. Crews will be back in the fall and winter to plant shrubbery and finish the project. Parks and recreation will handle follow-up maintenance.