THOMASVILLE, GA – October 4, 2016 – Exciting plans are in the works for some of Thomasville’s most beloved green spaces. The City of Thomasville will begin in October a strategic initiative to improve its community’s city parks. The process will emphasize public engagement and will be completed over several years; MacIntyre Park will be the first to receive a citywide planning effort this fall.
“MacIntyre Park is a great place to start,” explains Mayor Hobbs. “It was one of our first parks in 1893, carved out of 14 acres adjacent to the Glenwood neighborhood. Plus, it is has real opportunity to serve the local schools and the Center for the Arts as an outdoor classroom. The park is also a stop on our 15-mile community trail that will attract exercise enthusiasts.”
Attention to MacIntyre Park first began in 2015 when a group of Thomasville City School 5th grade design lab students made a plan for improvements as part of a class project. They noted foot traffic hazards, stream bank deterioration and inadequate play equipment. In 2016, the City secured an award from the Citizens’ Institute for Rural Design to host a 4-day effort to engage the public, current park users and national and local planning experts to construct a vision for this park.
“Some citizens will just be interested in safe pathways and a ready location to fill their water bottles. Others will envision facilities that spark creative uses of this treasured green space,” notes Katie Chastain, steering committee member and Thomasville City Schools teacher.
The Thomasville Entertainment Foundation (TEF) has already begun to look at MacIntyre Park with fresh eyes. “Music @ the MAC,” the foundation’s kick-off for its new family series, will be held in MacIntyre Park on October 22 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The picnic and outdoor concert is TEF’s first ever outdoor venue and is free and open to the public.
City Planner Brian Hermann encourages everyone to mark his or her calendar for the weekend of October 26-29. “We know everyone can’t commit to each event but we hope the public can definitely drop in to register a wish list for the park. The event schedule will be on the City’s Facebook page among other outlets.”
Weston and Paradise Parks are scheduled for their facelift opportunities in the spring and fall of 2017, respectively. Of the remaining seven major City parks, one will be scheduled for enhancement annually. While the public engagement process will vary with each park, a citizen steering committee will always guide the City Planning Department in the improvement initiatives.
For more information about the City of Thomasville’s park enhancement plan, please call the Planning Department at 227-7001.