BY AMANDA PEVEY

ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS

On Saturday, the Elmore County Commission held a ribbon cutting for the reopening of Crenshaw Park in Wetumpka for the newly added improvements and amenities for the park. See photo gallery below. The park was closed from October 2023 through the beginning of May 2024 for renovations. Improvements include playground equipment with added safety enhancements, renovations to the baseball/softball field, new basketball court, ADA accessible parking and ramps, a new asphalt drive, multiple shaded structures, and a walking trial around the park. Also, a new door was added to the main building.

Simple Men, a community organization, provided hot dogs, sausages, and grilled corn for all the guests who attended the ribbon cutting.

Opening remarks were given by Commission Chairman Bart Mercer. “We work on projects like this all across Elmore County, and we are working together by not only one district but for our entire county. What is good for one district is good for the other districts. I appreciate that about our commissioners and because of that we are able to work with many different partners across the county to bring improvements to our county such as Midsouth RD&C, working with us on this project. We are so appreciative of them because these type of projects bring improvements to our entire county for people to enjoy for generations to come.”

Commissioner Desirae Lewis Jackson spoke on the improvements and the park history. “In 1982, the land for this park was graciously donated by Courtney and Hertisene Crenshaw. It’s an absolute blessing we still have Ms. Hertisene here today. Crenshaw Park is open all year long, and it’s our ONLY county park that the county commission maintains. It’s an absolute blessing for myself and the other four commissioners to work really well together because this would not be possible without the support of my other commissioners. Thank you. We appreciate Mid South’s grant and want to say thank you for the donation and contribution to our park. This revitalization was over $150,000 to improve the park and that’s how much our County Commission invested in our park. This is not the end; this is literally the beginning and more will me coming.”

Crenshaw Park Board President El Wanda Penn spoke about the improved and renovated facility.

“This day we have been waiting for, for a little bit. We have the updated new basketball court, shaded structures, and the new walking trail. I’m mostly excited to use this new walking trail every morning to do my laps for walking. We want to welcome you to this park. The park is open at 8 a.m. and closes at dusk. We want your children to come to our free youth program over the summer. The Summer program will start the first of June and applications are available now. This is a safe place for parents to bring their children to. Thank you for coming out to enjoy the park today.”

The Crenshaw Park Board has five members that include: El Wanda Penn, Jerome Broughton, Hertisene Crenshaw, Fagle Grant, and Keith Means.

“This revitalization helps to create a sense of community and promotes physical activity while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors,” said Commissioner Jackson.

She continued, “The investment in Crenshaw Park strengthens our community as children work together, encourage one another, and show respect and empathy to one another as they learn through play.”

Crenshaw Park hosts a FREE youth summer program. Applications are available now and can be picked up at Crenshaw Park or you can call the Elmore County Commission’s office at (334) 514-5841.

The ages range from five to fifteen. The program starts the first week of June until the end of Summer. Activities include games, arts, crafts, field trips and much more. Breakfast and lunch are provided for FREE by the Elmore County Child Nutrition program for each child participating. Rhonda Penn and Ted Cotton are the counselors for the summer youth program.

Crenshaw Park is located at 1371 Crenshaw Road in Wetumpka and is open to the public seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to dusk. For more information, please visit the Elmore County Commission website at: www.elmoreco.org.

Crenshaw Community Park Rules:

Speed Limit 5 MPH – Strictly Enforced

Licensed drivers only

No parking on grass

No cooking under pavilion or in any building

All Concessions operated by the Park Board

County buildings are smoke free

No Alcoholic Beverages

No Drugs

No Littering

No Solicitation

No Weapons