Dear editor,
A group of concerned taxpayers met on Thursday, March 2, 2023, to discuss the UGA Extension office (4-H) occupying the building at Jimmy Davis Park and the restoration of the park.
Keith Fielder, County Extension coordinator, and Jackie Nunn, County Extension agent, shared how they will be working in the community, as well as what programs will be available. I think it will be a great opportunity for the community. This will allow children nearby to walk and take advantage of the programs.
I am an avid supporter of 4-H. I participated in 4-H around 1968. Needless to say, that was when Butler-Baker was a segregated school.
I remember going to Lexington, Georgia, with Mrs. Roberta Gilbert and Miss B. Cook. It was an experience that I have never forgotten. It was a must that all my five children be in 4-H, and they were active members up through the high school. My daughter, Chasity, came back in the summers while at Mercer University and worked as a camp counselor. At Rock Eagle, 4-H offers something for everybody.
I think sometimes people have a problem with things they are not familiar with. I too want the park to be available for the community; the chairman, Bill Sharp informed the group that the county will take care of the park. Commissioner Daniel Brown insists that it will be beautiful, and everyone will be proud of it.
I am not concerned about how long this has taken, nor why 4-H is going in the building. I am glad the building is going to be used mainly for children, and the park is going to be restored. It is about children. We need to move forward and let go of the whys and whether the city or county owns the park.
I went by the park on Friday, March 3, and noticed paper, bottles, etc. around the court. I decided to go back and pick up the trash.
I found items that were not normally used by children. Kudos to those that are trying to keep the population down as well as protect themselves from venereal diseases, but it would just be courtesy of them to put their products in one of the many trash cans. That’s being respectful of others.
I said that to say, we all need to take an interest in JD Park. If you see someone throwing paper or bottles on the ground, you should encourage them to help keep up the park. We talk about it’s for the children: please keep that in mind. Children have no business out after dark.
I welcome Keith and UGA to the East Eatonton community where you will reside off MLK Jr. Drive, next to Alice Walker Drive and a walk to Butler-Baker. This park belongs to every citizen in the city of Eatonton and Putnam.
Patricia Jones, H Eatonton