Community people and a local group are working to make some improvements at a downtown park.
Laurel Express, a Mississippi Main Street Community, began work in August of last year on the revitalization of the Trustmark Park at the corner of Magnolia and Oak Streets in historic downtown Laurel.
Jacqueline Lee, executive director of Laurel Express, said the ongoing project is a way to revitalize the unused park.
“We looked at the park and realized that the lights were damaged and dim, and the trees were overgrown,” Lee said. “I decided that this would be a great project for Laurel Express, since it is located in downtown Laurel and our goal is to revitalize downtown.”
Lee said the park is owned by Trustmark National Bank, which granted Laurel Express permission to rehab the area.
“Laurel Express’ goal was to rehabilitate the park and give people an area, where they could do a brown bag lunch and maybe be able to enjoy some type of music in the park,” Lee said. “It’s one of the most shaded areas located downtown.”
Lee said the park’s rehabilitation project will take some time.
“Our goal was to get the trees trimmed and up to par. Then, we hope to put flowers in some of the flower beds and just rehab the entire park,” she explained. “We hope to get a lot of support from people in the community who are skilled in the various areas of necessity.”
Several local residents donated their time and assistance to get the project underway.
Horticulturalist Cynthia Rahaim; Johnny Pool, owner of The Shade Eliminator; and the City of Laurel’s Public Works Department volunteered their services on the initial phase of the project.
Lee said that work was “the first step in a total plan to revive the park as a space for outdoor community enjoyment in downtown.”
Lee said the goal is to get “more people involved in the effort.”
The Laurel Council of Garden Clubs recently donated funds to purchase flowers for the beautification of the park at the corner of Magnolia and Oak streets.
Members of the Mayor’s Youth Council, a high school leadership organization, volunteered by planting Lantana and Verbena in the park recently.
Now work is being done to rehab the benches in the park.
“We hope to partner with some experienced local gardeners and people who are skilled in park revitalization,” she said, adding that AbilityWorks will also donate hours and materials to repair some benches and a flower bed border.
Lee said Laurel Express also hopes to install a bicycle rack near the park to allow visitors to cycle to the area.
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