Community meeting planned to get park recommendations

By Randy Bell

Those who have ideas about what a new nature-oriented park in Clinton should include will get their chance to voice those opinions during a town hall-style meeting November 10.
The consultants hired to develop an 84-acre “destination park” will assist the City with the community visioning workshop at the Wood Activity and Therapeutic Center at 111 Clinton Boulevard from 6 until 8 p.m. Those unable to attend the meeting or who can think of an idea later can use a post-event virtual interactive website to provide input: ClintonPark.konveio.com.

At its July 19, 2022, meeting, the Board of Aldermen approved an agreement to pay Design Workshop/Native Habitats $165,465 to guide the City in developing a master plan for the park, which would be located south of I-20 and north of Butts Park. The work to be conducted in four phases over the next year includes an analysis of the site, holding community meetings to get public input on the project, coming up with design alternatives and then a “final vision” of the park.

Native Habitats has already conducted five focus group meetings with City staff, adventure sports enthusiasts, strategic partners, history and nature experts and those interested in recreational vehicles and “glamping.” The company will now gather opinions from the community as it develops a vision for the new park.

The City is quick to point out that this park is not being funded by the two per cent restaurant tax. Community meetings on how that money should be spent to improve Clinton’s existing parks will be held later.

For more information about the November 10 meeting, call the City at 601-924-5474.