Councilman Dave Breitenbucher believes it is time for the city to “complete” development of Woodward Park as was outlined in the masterplan adopted more than 20 years ago.

And topping his list is the installation of tennis courts.

Breitenbucher raised the question during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

As such, it is likely to be addressed during a budget goal session coming up on Feb. 28.

There are two improvements in the works to add amenities to the 50-acre community park in South Manteca that were never included in the master plan.

One is an interactive water play feature.

The other is for a coin operated — or ATM swipe-able — dog spa.

The water play feature is being funded partially with COVID-19 relief funds while the entire tab of the doggie bath is being covered by the pass through federal pandemic funds

The original masterplan envisioned developing upwards of four baseball fields for youth use in the storm basin.

It included creating a partial earthen bridge between them where a concession stand could be located.

Whether that still makes sense would need to be decided.

Although not in the initial master plan but tossed around as an addendum to it at one point was an amphitheater for concerts, performances,  and such tucked into the northeast corner of the storm basin to take advantage of a grassy embankment for seating and a grove of trees for shade.

At the time, it was envisioned to include a concrete sidewalk into the storm basin from Woodward Park’s parking lot along Bridewell.

It was determined it could have an ADA accessible slope just like a similar sidewalk at the Spreckels Park BMX storm basin to allow for handicapped access as well as foot traffic.

The idea expressed was for concrete stepped style seating for 250 to 500 people with overflow “seating” on the grass and elsewhere on the embankment.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyat@mantrecabulletin.com