Center Park at Centerville opens

While COVID and all of its pesky limitations slowed the original progression plans of Center Park at Centerville, the family-friendly public recreational space officially opened on Friday afternoon.

Over the progression of the park’s creation, Centerville Mayor and Council, along with the city’s Director of Economic Development Kate Hogan discussed the ongoing development at length during monthly city council meetings. Hogan called the project “near and dear to my heart” and a “labor of love.” Mayor John Harley and council members agreed while frequently expressing their excitement at the nearing of the opening. The day finally came on December 11.

Houston Home Journal was invited to the site for a personal walk-through and viewing of the park just shortly before the official announcement was made of the park’s opening to the general public. A small number of inquisitive residents wandered on to the grounds and began taking advantage of what the space had to offer. Center Park at Centerville’s playground area includes swings, slides and bars to climb. The soft, bouncy base that surrounds the playground equipment is made of a material that not only will make it far easier to avoid injury in accidental falls, but it will also allow for much easier wheelchair accessibility for those who may need it.

The park includes a large splash pad with a nearby pumper that will push out the water that park-goers of all ages will, no doubt, enjoy. Especially during the warmer months of each year.

A large pavilion sits on the park’s property that can seat nearly 100 people. It will be made available to rent for private functions such as birthday parties, family reunions and the like. Pavilion rental is a perk that citizens may have to wait awhile for, however. With CDC recommendations as well as COVID-19 restrictions, the city of Centerville is doing what is necessary to keep citizens as safe and healthy as possible. Once restrictions are lifted and larger gatherings are allowed, individuals and groups will be able to reserve the covered pavilion for planned events.

Community events will also take place in the park once these things are safe to carry out. Regular events such as Popcorn in the Park, Food Truck Friday, Centerville Market Days, Fall Festival, Independence Day Celebration and Lighted Christmas Parade, will all take place there, according to the City of Centerville’s official website.

Clean restrooms, park chairs, park benches, water fountain stations—even water stations where dogs can quench their thirst—are all additional amenities that park goers can expect. And more is on the way. An amphitheatre is planned for the park’s future expansion.

“We’re planning on budgeting for that and working on that project as a part of SPLOST 2022,” said Director of Economic Development Kate Hogan. SPLOST is an acronym for special-purpose local-option sales tax. She mentioned that the structure’s completion and usage is probably about four or five years down the road, as the process and the erecting of a project that size does take time. Still, it is something that citizens can look forward to with brewing excitement.

In the meantime, the park and all of its other availabilities, including a paved walking/running track that surrounds the premises, is open for area families to enjoy to the fullest.

HHJ News