By Amanda Pevey – Elmore/Autauga News
Pictures submitted by Amanda Pevey and Katelyn Cotten
On Friday the non-profit organization Mid-South RC&D Council presented a grant check in the amount of $14,561.76 to assist the Elmore County Commission for improvements at Crenshaw Park.
The Elmore County Commission invested $40,000 for park renovations, making the total project value to $54,561.76. In attendance were Mid-South Council members that consisted of J.O. Norris, Pamela Hughes, Krystal Ward, Patty Lambrecht, Jimmy Harris and Elmore County Commissioner Desirae Lewis-Jackson. Also in attendance were Senator Will Barfoot (SD-25), Representative Troy Stubbs (HD-31), and the Elmore County Commission.
Crenshaw Park Board Members Hertisene Crenshaw, El Wanda Penn, and Keith Means were in attendance as well for all to celebrate the purchase of new playground equipment for the park. About 30 children from the Crenshaw Summer Youth program took part in the celebration as well.
The Revitalization of Crenshaw Park was one of Mid-South RC&D Council’s most successful projects during the fiscal year of 2022, winning the Alabama Association of RC&D Council’s 2022 Project of the Year award last month at the AARCDC Conference.
“Crenshaw Park is managed by the county commission, so it’s important for us to assist them in making necessary improvements for this vital community hub,” said Pamela Hughes, Executive Director for Mid-South RC&D Council. She continued, “The playground equipment needed to be updated, and that’s where Mid-South came into play. We’re honored to help bring the park back to life; it’s our mission to impact and engage local people, and the revitalization of Crenshaw Park is a perfect example of what the Mid-South RC&D Council is all about.”
Courtney and Hertisene Crenshaw donated the land for Crenshaw Community Park to Elmore County in 1982. They wanted to provide an area for children to enjoy sports, outdoor activities, and provide a safe place for children. The Crenshaws also assisted in securing a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant to build the park facility. The Crenshaw Park Board has five members that include: El Wanda Penn, Jerome Broughton, Hertisene Crenshaw, Fagle Grant, and Keith Means.
With a budget of $40,000, the park’s revitalization began with the commission making improvements and renovations to the basketball court, baseball field and facility building. To help ‘fill the gaps,’ the Mid-South RC&D Council, funded $14,567.76 for playground equipment, including a geodome, triple-shoot basketball goal, and conga drums. The combined efforts of the commission and the Mid-South RC&D Council benefited nearly 20,000 citizens within a five-mile radius of Crenshaw Park. The Mid-South RC&D Council is proud to support partners like the Elmore County Commission and help impact the local community.
The Revitalization of Crenshaw Park link can be viewed at: https://midsouthrcd.org/2022-project-of-the-year-the-revitalization-of-crenshaw-park/.
“In 2022, thanks to the generous grant provided by Mid-South RC&D, the playground area more than doubled in size, adding safety enhancements and five new pieces of equipment,” said Commissioner Desirae Lewis-Jackson. She continued, “The revitalization helps to create a sense of community and promotes physical activity while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. 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. We will begin a second phase of construction set for Fall 2023-Spring 2024 which will include renovations to the baseball/softball field, a new basketball court, ADA accessible parking and ramps to the area of play, a new asphalt drive, multiple shade structures, and additional safety enhancements to the playground.”
When the school year ends in May, the park hosts a FREE youth summer program. The children’s ages range from five to fifteen. The program starts the last week in May until the first week of August. This year, a total of 60 children signed up for camp which is one of the biggest camps in years. 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. ** Beginning Monday, October 2, 2023, Crenshaw Park will close temporarily for installation of improvements. Estimated reopening of the park is May 1, 2024. ** Any questions related to the improvement project should be directed to Elmore County Commission Office at (334) 514-5841. You can also visit the Elmore County Commission website at: www.elmoreco.org
and Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/ElmoreComm
.
Mid-South RC&D is a 501©3 non-profit organization, working to meet community needs and enhance the quality of life throughout the region, including Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery counties. The office is located at 2740 Central Parkway in Montgomery, Alabama. For more information, please contact the office staff at (334) 356-1855 or visit their website at www.midsouthrcd.org
You can also check out their Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/midsouthrcdcouncil
See the Gallery of Photos below from the event.
