Work continues on the Old Town Park in the Historic District of Grand Bay by the local non-profit organization, Citizens For A Better Grand Bay. With the assistance of a grant of $8,690 from the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D), Citizens For A Better Grand Bay (CBGB) cleared undergrowth, cleaned up decades of debris and removed damaged trees and non- native plants from the grounds.
A recent grant of $20,000 from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama will be used for design work for the park and start the fencing of the property and creation of walkways. Both the Gulf Coast RC&D and the Daniel Foundation of Alabama were supporters and grant makers for the Grand Bay Library and Museum.
Donations are still needed to fund design work, fencing installation, trail creating, park bench and table installation, and many other items required to make the park ready for the community’s enjoyment. The Old Town Park is approximately 2 acres and is across the street from the old L&S Train Depot platform and adjacent to the new Grand Bay Library and Harper Orchard’s Pecans on Potter Tract Road.
May 16, 2022, was the first event at the Park, a BBQ Fundraiser which was a great success. Patrons walked the paths, dined on the old fire station platform, and enjoyed a late Spring morning in the Park.
CBGB plans for the park to have interpretive walking trails where visitors can learn about the native plants, view the blooms of the ornamental camellias, and cool off under the shade from the majestic oaks and magnolias, many of them planted in the early 20th century.
Old Town Park will serve the Grand Bay Library by providing an area to hold outdoor educational activities for children and adults.
Contact CBGB on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GrandBayPark or citizens36541@gmail.com for information on sponsorships.
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. Plaques located along the walking trail will detail 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.
Business and personal sponsorship of benches and picnic tables are currently available. Please send donations to PayPal at citizens36541@gmail.com, through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GrandBayPark, or by check to CBGB, P O Box 274, Grand Bay, AL 36541.
Your donations are tax deductible and will directly help make Grand Bay Old Town Park a resounding success.
