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Christian Carrico, with Keep Magee Beautiful, met before the Magee Board of Alderman Tuesday, August 15, 2023 concerning upgrades to the present city park.
Mayor Dale Berry announced several months ago allocations from the State of Mississippi, Senator Chris Caughman, were made in the amount of $500,000 to go toward a new playground and upgrades. Mayor Berry advised the city would allocate an additional $100,000 toward the project.
Keep Magee Beautiful has been working hard soliciting vendors for a plan and cost to replace the present playground equipment. The committee reached out to children to see what equipment interested them the most.
The new equipment would be located at the same spot and featuring a rubber foundation and astroturf verses the wood chip surface. Different sections according to age, A 5-12 year old area, a 2-5 year old area, swings, climbing obstacles, and a handicap playground equipment area are part of the new plan.
The plans includes new landscaping, upgrading walking track, new fencing around all of the playground, a half court basketball area, picnic table area improvements, 4 new official pickle ball courts and resurfacing of existing tennis courts. Bathroom upgrades would be addressed. The park will have one entrance. The gate would be locked at night for safety. The new playground would offer over 100 activities for children.
The pickle courts would be located behind the tennis courts on land donated to the City by Dr. Lake Garner. The pickle ball courts would be the only official pickle ball courts within a 45 mile radius.
The total cost of the project is approximately $875,000 – $900,000. The committee has composed fund raising projects to fund the remainder of monies needed. With the $600,000 allocated from the city and a verbal commitment already from two donors, the amount needed to raise is $200,000.
The existing playground was built in 2003 and drew an interest of people from neighboring areas.
The present playground needs work. Some of the areas are questionable as to safety. Parents are traveling to neighboring cities for their children to play on nice safe playgrounds. Keeping our children in Magee and attracting citizens of surrounding areas will help the city by revenue being spent while the people are visiting the playground.
Anyone that would like to donate to the cause, please contact Christian Carrico or the Keep Magee Beautiful committee.
Please note if equipment was ordered today there is a 6 month lead way before prep work and equipment would be available. The playground is not an overnight project. But, the results are going to be well worth it for the children and adults.
Attached is a blue print for what the park will look like.
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