The city of Rincon’s long-awaited Patriots Park is just about ready.

City engineer Tim Baumgartner told council members at their meeting Monday night that the tennis courts are paved, the lighting is installed and the parking is completed following a walk-through Friday.

“It looks real nice and the lights are working,” he said. “You’ve got a nice park with a great backbone.”

Council members had expressed concern about delays earlier this summer, but Baumgartner said the contractor, Ellis Wood, is actually ahead of the schedule agreed to in the contract.

“The courts look great,” Mayor Ken Lee said. “But we need more landscaping.”

City recreation director David Wooten assured council members there would be more landscaping. He also said the lights for the tennis court are scheduled to cut off at 11 p.m. each night.

Before they turn off, a strobe light will flash, alerting the players the lights will go out.

“You can’t play out there at midnight,” he said.

The tennis courts and the parking are the first phase of the park, which will eventually include soccer fields and a walking/jogging trail. Future phases also will include a pavilion building and may include an amphitheater.

The contract for the first phase was for nearly $398,000.

Council members also asked for a security light to be erected at the park.

Rincon will hold a grand re-opening for the Hinely Community Center on Tuesday at noon. The center was refurbished with a grant to accommodate the Americans with Disabilities Act.