How Augusta will use millions in grants to improve parks

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning more about how Augusta leaders plan to spend nearly $4 million in state funds to upgrade local parks.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the grants Thursday among $225 million awarded statewide for 142 projects that improve the quality of life in places disproportionately impacted by the COVID pandemic.

At Boykin Road Park, a $1.7 million grant will be used to revitalize it from an athletic park to a passive park. Features will include comfort stations, picnic shelters, a walking track, a sustainable playground with an interactive water feature, new lighting, and a community garden with outdoor fitness equipment for seniors.

Terry Gooding is the minister at Bethel Community Apostolic Church South. He said, “Everybody in the community came there in the summertime to play. That school became like the place to be, where all the young people came to gather and do a lot of things.”

He’s been working there since 2017. It sits across from Boykin Park, and Gooding says he’s seen it decaying like this since.

“I think there’s a lot of potential for south Augusta, and that’s why we’ve got this operation here. Trying to connect with this community. Obviously, there’s a lot of issues all over, in particular out here as you can look around and see,” said Gooding.

At May Park, $2.2 million will be used to add parking, a picnic shelter, seating, and a walking track and replace the old comfort station, tennis and basketball courts, and the grills. There will also be improvements inside the community center, including renovations to the restrooms, locker rooms, and steam rooms.

“One of the things, in terms of hosting tournaments, has been the ‘Achilles heel’ for the city of Augusta, is not having the venues. Not having up-to-date parks and amenities,” said Maurice McDowell, director of the Augusta Parks and Recreation Department.

Mayor Garnett Johnson said: “To help in some of the failing infrastructure, as it relates to some of our parks. And as you can see, this is targeted around our youth and recreation, and we’re excited to receive those dollars.”

But for some, any money is a second chance at life.

Gooding said: “We’re trying to make a positive impact on this community, and it’s nice to hear what’s going to be happening with this park.”

In downtown Augusta, $1.8 million will be used for the Jones Street Alley project to create a direct connection between Jones Street and the Augusta Common. Added sidewalks and alley space will provide opportunities for more community events and improve foot traffic between the central business district, the convention center, and the Augusta Common.

“We are in the middle of construction of the new Henry Brigham Community Center, just finished improvements to Jamestown Park, and replaced the playground at the community center in Blythe; we will begin improvements at Fleming Park and Dyess Park shortly and now we can add two more projects that will benefit our entire community,” said McDowell.

Other grants awarded in Augusta include:

• The renovation project at 1903 Division St. for Boys & Girls Club of Greater Augusta, $2.2 million.
• Salvation Army community park and recreation area, $2.2 million.

Other grants in the CSRA

EMANUEL COUNTY

• Repairs to Connie Kight Recreation Center, $2 million.
• Renovation of ball fields, 2.2 million.
• Construction of Olympic-size county pool, $2.17 million.

HANCOCK COUNTY

• Hancock County Park, $2.2 million.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

• Upgrades to recreation park, $2.2 million.

JENKINS COUNTY

• Improvements to the 20-acre sports complex, $2.2 million.

McDuffie COUNTY

• Three-acre recreation facility, $2.2 million.

WAYNESBORO

• Enhancements to Sixth Street Park, $2.2 million.

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