Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2020

JACKSON COUNTY
GAUTIER’S TOWN COMMONS PARK
BY YEAR-END
Gautier’s new Town Commons Park, which is in the design phase, will create a public-use green space anchor within the community and expand the opportunity for outdoor recreation, eco-tourism, festivals and community gathering.
The development of Town Commons Park has been part of the city’s long-range plans and is symbolic of the “Nature’s Playground” motto.
Town Commons Park will be directly behind the old Singing River Mall property on Dolphin Road. Located
on nearly 33 acres, this premier park will provide recreational opportunities for park visitors and help spark the redevelopment of the old mall property and the city’s town center.
A main entrance to the park will be 30 | July 2020
located next to the Nature’s Playground sculpture on the Dolphin Road roundabout.
The city plans to build Town Commons Park in three phases, with amenities to include pickle ball courts, a great lawn to accommodate an increased number of events and festivals, musical playground, traditional playground, restrooms/ concessions, a musical water feature, amphitheater and pavilion.
It also will include walking trails, tree houses, football eld with lighting, bleachers and concessions, outdoor
game equipment (such as foosball, chess, checkers, etc.), sand volleyball areas, a dog park, and more.
“We’re trying to create a space that
will interest a variety of people with a variety of hobbies,” City Manager Paula
Yancey said. “We hope to draw in families with children of all ages, seniors, nature enthusiasts, festival-goers, animal lovers, eco-tourists, music lovers, and more. There will be an amenity for everyone.”
The park also will provide a centralized gathering area for city events such as the popular Cruisin’ through the Decades, which is part of Cruisin’ the Coast. The city has outgrown all of its other public facilities for hosting large events and festivals.
The city of Gautier is leveraging
funds from a variety of sources for this important project. The city will put up $1.6 million from a general obligation bond toward Phase I, which will be funded in part by Tidelands grant funds and legislative funding.
story by April Stennett photo courtesy of Seymour Engineering
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Breaking Ground