After many years of planning, the city will begin construction this month on The Fields, a 3.2-acre park in the Pearl District at Northwest 10th Avenue and Overton Street.

Scheduled for completion in winter 2013, the park will have a children's area, dog park, one-acre lawn, sitting areas, strolling paths, picnic tables, landscaping and a Portland Loo restroom facility.

It will be built by Salem's R and R General Contractors. The Fields is the third of four parks outlined in a 2009 study of the urban renewal area between Northwest 10th and 11th avenues, beginning at Northwest Johnson: Jamison Square opened in 2002, Tanner Springs opened in 2005, and there's potential for a Riverfront Park.

No city general fund money was used for The Fields. The park's $5.14 million cost came from the Portland Development Commission and $400,000 from Portland Parks and Recreation system development charges.

The public is invited to the construction kickoff event 3 to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at the park. Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish and parks Director Mike Abbaté will speak, and numerous neighbors, community and civic leaders are expected to attend.