Turrell ready to cut the ribbon

Turrell ready to cut the ribbon

Community invited to opening of new city park

news@theeveningtimes.com

Turrell Mayor Dorothy Cooper is inviting the public to join her for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a new city park.

The event will be held Saturday at noon at the community park located on Upshaw Street behind the fire station.

“It’s finally completed,” Cooper said. “I’m just so elated.”

The city was awarded a $45,000 FUN (Facilities for Underdeveloped Neighborhoods) grant from Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism to build the park.

The grants are targeted for areas of the state which do not have park facilities.

The new park features a children’s play area, walking trail, pavilion, and a full basketball court.

Sorrell Consulting Engineers and Crisp Contractors did the design and construction work for the city. Cooper said she is extremely proud of how the park turned out. She had made a promise to the city’s children that she would work to get a park built to provide more activities for the youth.

“I’m just in awe of how it looks and how it all came together,” Cooper said.

“There was nothing there and now it is a beautiful area where all of the citizens and people who come through town can enjoy it and sit and relax.”

Cooper thanked Arkansas Parks and Tourism and State. Rep. Monte Hodges for the funds to get it built.

The full basketball court was made possible thanks to a $10,000 grant from Hodges.

“They all had a part in this and I am just so thankful for doing such a great job,” Cooper said.

Cooper said the park will be a place where children can come and play and adults can exercise using the walking trail.

She’s hoping next to be able to plant some trees at the park.

“I can’t wait to see the citizens using it,” Cooper said.

“That’s why I worked so hard for it and am so excited

about it.”

By Mark Randall