When the Starkville Parks and Recreation Department this fall announced a “Name that park” contest for the playground at Whitfield Street and Avenue of Patriots, phone calls began pouring into its Lynn Lane office immediately.
In the end, more than 140 people voted in the contest. About 40 of those people voted for the winning name: “Patriot”s Park.”
The Parks and Recreation Department randomly drew one name out of the list of 40 people who voted for Patriot”s Park. Thursday afternoon, the winner was at the park to celebrate the erection of a sign displaying the new name.
Jackson Lipe, 10, was shy as city officials and Park Commission members gathered to celebrate the park”s new name, but said he was “excited” to win the contest. Lipe received a $100 prize. He spent some of the prize money on video games, but put the rest in a savings account.
The property on which Patriot”s Park now sits was at one time a junkyard, which drew the scorn of many nearby residents, former Ward 1 Alderman Sumner Davis said. But thanks to efforts by Davis, current Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver and the Parks and Recreation Department, the property has been transformed into a playground which is heavily used by local residents.
“When it”s warmer out, you can come down here every night and see how much this park gets used,” Carver said.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
