The sunny last day of spring break provided an appropriate backdrop for the unveiling of a Richmond County park’s glow up.
City officials and neighborhood children took part in an April 14 ribbon cutting for a new playground at Eastview Community Center and Park.
Atop a safe playing surface, the new inclusive equipment includes slides, mini climbing walls, chutes and tunnels — all designed to promote “physical activity and social interaction,” according to Tameka Williams, the director of Augusta-Richmond County’s Recreation and Parks Department.
Vandals had damaged and set fire to the previous playground equipment, and the park lay In disarray. That left area residents such as Shawnda Stovall, Richmond County Board of Education representative for District 1, who lives near the park, feeling discouraged — but not any longer.
“We see firsthand through the hard work of our commissioner, Jordan (Johnson) and Commissioner Francine (Scott) and Commissioner (Tony) Lewis… that we are not forgotten,” she said.
District 1 Commissioner Jordan Johnson worked for about two years to get enough support from the Augusta-Richmond County Commission to tend to and upgrade the park he’d known since his childhood.
Even before the vandalism, the park had been run down and neglected for many years, he said. It wasn’t the welcoming space for children it could have been. Its improvements weren’t a priority.
“Our kids deserve good down here,” he said.
Not only is there new playground equipment and surface, but the park also has a soccer field.
The quarter-mile walking trail and the fences had been overgrown with weeds and vines, but they had been cleaned up by Monday’s ceremony. Johnson emphasized the gate line clean-up, saying it had been years since that area was clear.
Commissioner Francine Scott commended Johnson on his dedication and perseverance to the project, and she hoped the park would draw the children away from their electronic devices to play outside.
Johnson said a few more enhancements are still in the works. Swings and a basketball court should be installed soon.
Stovall expressed excitement for the park and the neighborhood’s future.
“We’re turning things around. We’re getting ready to be the example of a neighborhood and community that will thrive and reclaim its glory,” she said.
After the ribbon cutting, children played on the new equipment and in the bounce houses set up on the adjacent fields while a DJ played tunes.
And Johnson and Stovall ended the day by squaring off for a long-awaited kickball battle. Stovall’s team beat Johnson’s 6-4.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
