PERRY, Ga. – Pine Needle Park officially opened on Nov. 14 and was made to include all children.
The park is approximately 60 acres, with walking trails and playground equipment made for disabled children to play on as well. Most of the equipment and picnic tables are accessible for special needs, including two wheelchair swings for children.
The inclusive park was made with the help of the James E. Worrall Foundation who contributed $35,000 for the purchase and installation of the playground equipment. The current chair of the foundation, interim councilmember Joe Posey, said this park includes every child who wants to play.
He also shares this idea when the city bought the old Perry Country Club property. Posey said the foundation was looking for a project involving parks because the goal of the foundation is to improve leisure services in the city. The park has been both a goal for the city and the foundation.
The foundation also recently awarded the city a $5,000 scholarship at the last Perry council meeting which will be going towards leisure services. Posey said the money will help children who can’t afford to participate in recreational programs.
“Our goal is to help with the recreation program, that’s our overall goal is to help the city with recreation programs. We put some handicap accessible equipment at Rozar Park in the past and a table for disabled kids and this is what we do is to help and that is the goal of the foundation when it began is to help the city with recreation issues,” said Posey.
The idea became a reality after two years. Posey said it took a while to get the equipment and there were various delays, but the park is finally open.
“I want it to be place where they can go and grow up and bring their own children there and just feel like there is something for them. These kids are left out so often when they go to places like that and there’s nothing for them. I wanted them to feel included and that there are people that care about them,” said Posey.
Pine Needle Park is located at 1020 Country Club Road and is open seven days a week until sundown.
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