New Park Coming to Grand Bay’s Old Town Historic District
The citizens of Grand Bay and its visitors will soon have a new park in the Old Town Historic District. With the assistance of a $5,000 grant from the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), Citizens For A Better Grand Bay (CBGB) has purchased and begun work on an approximately 2-acre park in the Old Town Historic District. Every great town has a signature place that acts as a destination, a community gathering spot, and a catalyst for economic growth. Old Town Park, centrally located across Potter Tract Road from the old train depot platform, and directly adjacent to the new Grand Bay Library and Harper Orchard’s Pecans, will be Grand Bay’s.
The park will have walking trails where visitors can learn about the native plants, view the blooms of the ornamental camellias, and cool off under the shade of the majestic oaks and magnolias, many of them planted in the early 20th century. The Grand Bay community will enjoy the much-desired picnic tables throughout the property and benches along the trail will provide a beautiful spot for reading in the woodland park right in the middle of town.
Old Town Park will also serve the Grand Bay Library and local schools by providing an area to hold outdoor educational activities for children and adults. Visions for future installations for the park include an outdoor classroom area that will also be able to be used for community art shows, plays, live music, weddings, and more. A gazebo, planned for the old fire station foundation, will provide an additional covered area for picnics, community gatherings, outdoor markets, celebrations, and private functions.
Plaques located along the walking trail will detail educational information about the local plants and trees, but also offer the ability to showcase community art, during special “Art Walks”, and Grand Bay Library led “Book Walks” to promote learning and literature for children and adults.
A fundraising campaign, to be launched at a later date, will offer individuals and businesses in the community a way to contribute to this transformative park for Grand Bay. You will be able to “BUY A BRICK” that will be engraved with your name, your business name, or the name of a loved one you would like to memorialize. These engraved bricks will then be used in the various walkways and amenities built in the park. Sponsorship of Park Benches, Tables, Plaques, and more will also be offered.
The Citizens for a Better Grand Bay will pursue grants, in addition to fundraisers, to help fund the amenities for the community, but will also welcome donations. If you feel led to help, donations can be made in many ways: Please send donations to PayPal at citizens36541@gmail.com, or by check to CBGB,
P O Box 274, Grand Bay, AL 36541. Your donations are tax deductible and will directly help make Old Town Park a resounding success. Contact CBGB at Citizens36541@gmail.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrandBayPark
To keep updated on the progress of this park, please go to www.grandbayoldtownpark.com.
Mexican Hydrangia and ferns
