LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy David Alegria,

Laredo, Texas – The City of Laredo and Council Member for District 6, Dr. Marte Martinez, are celebrating and introducing newly added amenities to Divine Mercy Park. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Monday, April 11 to celebrate the completion of the park’s enhancements.

The overall cost of the park was over $400,000. Most of the funding for the enhancements, however, came from a generous donation from Mr. Robert P. Gutierrez, a local businessman, in an amount of over $320,000. The first donation was made on September 2019 for an amount of over $283,000 to be used for the basketball court. The second donation was made on October 2019 in an amount of over $37,000, which was used for the construction of bathroom facilities. Mr. Gutierrez granted this donation as a token of appreciation to the Laredo community for supporting him on his personal and professional endeavors. The Divine Mercy Park donation was dedicated to Carroll and Evelyn Summers.

“Our goal with our park system has always been to enhance the community and quality of life,” said Council Member Dr. Marte Martinez during the ceremony. “I would like to thank Robert “Beto” P. Gutierrez for his generous donation and everything he has done for the City of Laredo under two short years. His philanthropic work does not go unnoticed, as it is apparent with the amazing renovations of Divine Mercy Park.”

On March 2020, the Laredo City Council passed a motion to amend the City of Laredo Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Capital Improvements Funds by appropriating revenues and expenditures and authorized Co-interim City Managers to implement such amendments, specifically for the improvements of this park. The park’s improvements include new bathrooms, basketball and volleyball courts, soccer fields, dog stations, picnic tables, and more. Divine Mercy Park is located on Diamond Dr. and Lapis Ln., next to Divine Mercy Catholic Church.