FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Construction of a new park in Fresno is about to begin. The City of Fresno announced Thursday that the first construction contract has been awarded. The total project cost is estimated to be over $12 million. City officials announced they awarded the first construction contract for the South Peach Avenue Park, a 49-acre regional amenity, which the city says has been in the making for years. A contract over $9.6 million was awarded to American Paving Co., and they will develop approximately 10 of the 49 total acres, according to the city's announcement on Thursday. Fresno’s nationwide search for a new police chief has begun The city says the company will construct two lighted multi-use sports fields (one of which will be the city's first synthetic turf field), two playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipment and restrooms. According to the city, the construction of 10 of the 49 acres is phase one of the project. Two other project phases will then follow. “Southeast Fresno has never had a regional park of this size," Fresno City Councilmember, Luis Chavez said. The city says phase one of construction is scheduled to begin in January. The cost of the contract announced on Thursday is $9.6 million, but the total cost of the project is approximately $12.26 million, according to the city. Funding for the project comes from park impact fees, Measure P, and American Rescue Plan dollars.