Mobile County To Develop Park at Delta?s Edge

Posted on: May 22nd, 2014 | News and Announcements

The Mobile-Tensaw Delta continues to be the focus of infrastructure improvements by the Mobile County Commission with a proposal on Thursday?s conference meeting agenda to build out a park on the Delta waters in Creola. The meeting is set for 1 p.m. today with a formal vote scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. The county bought the seven-acres of park land at the end of Old highway 43 two years ago. It was the homestead of former slaves, Esquire Andrew Jackson and his wife, Julia, who settled the property in 1891. Their great-granddaughter sold it to the county and the park, Juanita Hall Crenshaw Park at Gunnison Creek, is named in her honor. Plans for park improvements, financed by $200,000 in state and federal grants, include two walking trails, an elevated boardwalk by the water?s edge and accessibility for everyone, including those in wheelchairs. There will be signage to identify the local fish, wildlife and natural vegetation in what is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country. ?We have natural resources that would be the envy of anyone, and increasingly we want to develop easy access for our people to enjoy them,? said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. Visitors will be able to drop their kayaks and canoes into the water at the seven-acre park. They can also walk the nature trails, including one that features a recycled scrap tire walking surface. If approved, the project is expected to be completed by the fall. ?Infrastructure upkeep is an important responsibility of elected officials and an expectation of our constituents,? said County Commission president Connie Hudson Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl noted: ?Our quality of life is important to our residents and an important factor in economic development. We are fortunate to have the means to make these kinds of improvements.? The county last week officially opened the Ron Jones Paddle Trail in the Delta waters with signage along the waterways to steer paddlers between Chickasabogue Park in Eight-Mile and Williams Brooks Park in Chickasaw. ###