Ceremonial groundbreakings have been held and work has started at the three Waycross parks scheduled for major upgrades in the coming months.
Dirt was turned last month at Bailey Street, Garlington and Elizabeth parks signifying the start of work on improving the facilities as part of a $2.6 million state-city effort. City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford said he hopes the finished products at each park will be available for use later this summer.
“But hopefully, much sooner,” Rayford told city commissioners after the start of work.
The improvements are the result of a $2.2 million grant the city received in nearly two years ago from the state targeting parks and recreation opportunities in low-income areas according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
In an effort to enhance its chances of securing the funds, which topped out at the $2.2 million Waycross received, the city pledged to add nearly $400,000 to any state award when it applied for the funds bringing available money for the effort to $2.6 million.
Gov. Brian Kemp made $225 million available from federal pandemic relief to the state for the effort.
Original targeted upgrades at Bailey Street totaled $1.53 million, with $1.24 million at Garlington and $1.21 million at Elizabeth, according to the cost estimates compiled by the city. Since those amounts exceeded the money available by nearly $1.4 million, the city has worked with Macon-based contractor ICB Construction, which is handling the project, on cost-cutting measures.
“The scope of all three projects is pretty much intact,” said engineer Charlie Bridges with ESG, which is handling the project for the city. “A few thing had to be tweaked, there are a couple less pieces of playground equipment, but everything that was planned is still being done.”
That includes splash pads at Garlington and Elizabeth. The city’s current splash pad is in Pernell Roberts Memorial Park, and was built with city and private funds three years ago.
Bridges said the city received a financial boost from handling the construction of restrooms on site rather than install the pre-fabricated models present in the original plans.
“We were able to get a much better price and much shorter lead time (up to 12 months) building it in the field,” Bridges said. “That really helped us with costs.”
Rayford said although Bailey, Garlington and Elizabeth are getting largescale upgrades, other city parks also will see improvement in the coming months.
Officials dedicated a new gazebo March 14 in Monroe Park to replace the one damaged beyond repair last year by Hurricane Helene.
