The grant, if received, will pay for landscaping and Phase 1 of the recreational center. Phase 1, according to City Development Director Wanda Garner, will be the recreational center's $50-$60,000 new playground. "The equipment is really innovative," Garner explained, describing the Noah's ark play equipment that they are planning to have in the park.
After Phase One is complete, Garner says that another grant will be obtained to pay for Phase Two, a nature trail and Phase Three, walking trails. Garner also said that if funds allowed they might be able to include biking trails.
The nature trails Garner says will be handicapped accessible and will be equipped with audio stations for the blind. A grant for the audio stations has already been obtained from the Mississippi Forestry Commission.
"It is really important to us that the children with disabilities are able to use the equipment," Garner said.
Another good part about the park, according to Garner, is that tax-payers will not have to pay for it. If the city receives the grant from the Mississippi Commission of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, they will be required to match the funds.
"We've had lots of volunteers," Garner said. "We use that as our matching money."
Volunteers who are working with the project include Laura Reid and Janet Kanard who according to Garner will be heading up the volunteer work, Joe Sutherland and Girault Jones will help with the planning and engineering. The city and county will move the dirt and gravel for the project.