The Punta Gorda City Council last week voted to foot the bill for a utilities upgrade project at Ponce de Leon Park.

Initially, the city was considering splitting the nearly $600,000 tab with the nonprofit Peace River Wildlife Center.

The upgrade is just a small part of a larger redesign of the park.

The upgrade includes a $460,000 water service upgrade that will add a dedicated fire hydrant and new water main. The other part is a $150,000 wastewater service upgrade including a new lift station.