THOMASVILLE — Thomasville is among a handful of Georgia cities looked upon favorably for a federal grant to be administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The city applied for a matching grant of up to $200,000 from the federal Land & Water Conservation fund for improvements at 18.6-acre Paradise Park, the city’s oldest park and in existence since the late 1800s.

“We were one of 27 to move forward. We were conditionally approved for the grant,” said Mike Owens, City of Thomasville parks, recreation and golf manager.

Thomasville was among 76 Georgia cities, towns and counties to apply for a matching grant.

The next step is formally filling a grant application — a process that begins Wednesday. A detailed plan for park improvements and a budget are required in the application, which is due in May.

The estimated cost of Paradise Park improvements is $350,000 to $400,000.

The proposed park project includes enhanced parking, picnic and playground areas, along with an enhanced park entrance at South Broad and Dawson streets. The park’s historic bandstand is in need of repairs. 

At a public input session, residents said they want a historic, rustic trail through the park. A natural walking trail is included in improvements.

Owens said no major improvements have been made at the park since the 1980s.

“We’re trying to make it more of a walking destination from downtown,” he said.

Paradise Park improvements would get underway in 2022.

An improvement project at Francis Weston Park — costing close to $500,000 — is nearing completion.

An assessment of the city’s 17 parks will be done this year.

 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820