Recently, the Board of Aldermen accepted the lowest bid of $2,834,002.13 to begin a massive enhancement of numerous neighborhood parks throughout our city.  This project is part of an aggressive, larger-scale plan to take our successful parks system in Southaven to an even greater plateau, further improving our recreational value in appealing to even more citizens.  During my time as Mayor since mid-2013, we’ve invested over $35 million into our parks and recreation system.  The overwhelming majority of this funding has come from the 1% restaurant tourism tax.  Many of the previous expenditures have been expansion projects that added opportunities for new recreations for our citizens while also enhancing tourism appeal which has subsidized our parks operation and added relief to the general fund burden.  Our plan has been enormously successful both from an amenities and financial standpoint.   Now, we’re in a position to make a tremendous investment into our neighborhood parks and further improve the quality of life for more of our citizens.

A summary of these enhancements is as follows:

Cherry Valley Park…resurfaced walking trail & new playground

Brookhaven Park…resurfaced walking trail, new pavilion & new bridge

Jim Saucier Park...resurfaced walking trail

Greenbrook Lake Park…resurfaced walking trail & new playground

Hal Guthrie Park…resurfaced walking trail, new pavilion & new playground

Summerwood Park…new pavilion

Southern Pines Park…new pavilion & new bridge

Swinnea Park…new pavilion

W.E. Ross Park…resurfaced walking trail

Ross Pointe Farms Park…new 10-ft multi-use trail & new pavilion

Trinity Pointe Park…resurfaced walking trail, new pavilion & new bridge

Plum Point Park…new walking trail & new pavilion

Central Park…resurfaced walking trail with expanded route, new 10-ft multi-use trail connecting Swinnea & Tchulahoma, new pavilion & two new bridges

Snowden House Front Yard Park…resurfaced walking trail  

Construction is projected to start near May 1 with completion in February, 2024. In addition to this project, new rubberized surfaces will be added to several playgrounds and general playground equipment maintenance will continue as needed, funded by our general fund budget line specifically for neighborhood parks.