A local park just got a facelift.
City officials held a dedication at the Pierce and Third Street Mini Park Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of its playground upgrades.
“I think it’s a great opportunity. It’s a great neighborhood park. We hope to upgrade all the parks in the city,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Roberson.
It took the city about three or four months to complete the park upgrade.  The project included installing the new $23,000 playground, adding mulch and a new border around the playground.
“I think this is a great park for the community,” said Kristi Hardison, manager of Parks and Recreations.
Hardison said her department had a committee assessing the needs of other parks in the area.
“We do not have any [upgrades] in the works right now,” she said. “But, there will be more improvements to come.”
In the two years the House of Prayer Deliverance has been next to the park, the church has held community events like Easter egg hunts and cookouts.
The park upgrade was a pet project of city councilmember William Pitt. He said the neighborhood was devoid of green public spaces and the mini park would be a welcome refuge.
“I just felt that the community needed to have a … playground with some good equipment,” Pitt said.
He proposed partnering with the House of Prayer Deliverance after attending one of the church’s park events.
As a partnership, the church will allow the public to use its parking and continue holding public events at the park.
“I’m sure this will be a great thing for the community,” said Lewis Glaspie, pastor of House of Prayer Deliverance.
Pitt said he would like to see new playground equipment at Beebe Park, but that will involve partnering with public housing authorities.