Revitalization of District 2 Parks & Recreation Centers Continues

Aug 1st, 2017

Posted in: General News2

The revitalization of parks and recreation centers across District 2 is continuing with the approval of 3 contracts this morning for work at Rickarby Park, Harmon Park, Hope Community Center and Thomas Sullivan Community Center.

"Great parks and community centers are key to healthy communities," said Councilman Levon Manzie. "When we invest in these facilities, we are investing in our community. And, I am proud to be investing every dollar we can in them."

Rickarby Park is undergoing a major renovation which includes the installation of new in-ground foundation pre-manufactured baseball benches in place of the current ones, removal of the current deteriorating basketball court and installation of a new court along with new goals and benches, replacing damaged sections of sidewalk near the recreation center building, installation of new trash receptacles and security measures and a complete painting of the interior and exterior of the recreation center building. The contract approved today will allow for reroofing the recreation center building.

A major transformation is also coming soon to Harmon Park which will be getting a brand new playground and upgrading playing fields for area youth and students at the adjacent George Hall Elementary School. Contracts were recently approved for the design of the new playground (see proposed design in attached rendering) and for new field lighting. The contract approved today is for improvements to the fencing around the fields and playground. This is the first in a multi-step, $550,000 process to transform this Community Center.

At Hope Community Center and Thomas Sullivan Community Center, new security cameras are being installed.

“In order to connect communities throughout the City of Mobile, we must ensure that our parks, which are the hearts of our neighborhoods, meet the expectations and needs of Mobilians,” said Mayor Stimpson. “These renovations will help transform our parks into a gathering place for our citizens.”

These projects are funded through the 2017 Capital Improvement Program. In the 2015-2016 Capital Improvement Plan, Councilman Manzie allocated nearly $200,000 for improvements to Crawford-Murphy Park, Lyons Park, Harmon Recreation Center and Springhill Recreation Center.