CENTRAL PARK ENHANCEMENTS

Last year, we began a major $2.8-million project to enhance neighborhood parks throughout our city with walking trails, pavilions, and upgraded playgrounds. Of these 11 parks, Central Park is the largest segment as it is a key piece to the largest pedestrian path in the history of our city connecting other multi-use trails or pedestrian lanes from Airways to Malone. The new 10-foot wide multi-use trail will travel through the entire park from Swinnea to Tchulahoma connecting to the existing trail there that leads southward to May Blvd. In addition, the existing walkways through the wooded areas are being replaced; pavilion added; and the new playground on the western end replaced. The main playground in the center of the park was replaced three years ago. This is a beautiful, sprawling, natural park in the center of our city where walking, running, playing, fishing, and Frisbee golf are a daily occurrence. It is also the home of our magnificent Christmas-light display, Southern Lights, which has become a great tradition in our city. This project, funded completely by tourism taxes, is expected to be completed by early summer. It will enhance the park experience for our citizens and ensure that it remains a key piece of our parks program for many years into the future.