On July 1, the city of Picayune received the second installment of financial support from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation to help the development of Crosby Commons.
According to previous Item coverage, the property was once home to Picayune’s hospital. After demolition of the building, the city applied for and received grants to build a park on the site.
Last month, a dedication ceremony was held at the park’s entrance. Currently, the park has a fence, entryway and sod, previous coverage states. The first grant from the LPRVF was for $100,000, which covered the installation costs of the entrance and fencing. A $500,000 grant from MDOT will be used in the construction of an amphitheater, according to a previous story.
This month’s grant from the LPRVF totals $100,000.
“The grant is going to go a long way to enhancing the new Crosby Commons Park – the establishment of a walking trail and benches, lights and history markers,” City Manager Jim Luke said in a LPRVF release. “The city is most grateful. The park will serve our community for our children and our children’s children.”
According to the LPRVF release, long-term plans for Crosby Commons includes construction of an amphitheater, benches, restrooms and historical markers.
“This grant will enable the city of Picayune to continue the development of the property into a beautiful park that captures the history of the site, informing the public of past activities conducted on the site, while providing a place for walking trails, playgrounds, recreational sports, an amphitheater, picnics and resting,” LPRVF CEO Sid Whitley said in the release. “The entire green space is surrounded by wrought-iron fencing to keep children safe as they play. The Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation is happy to be a partner with the city of Picayune in this emerging development.”
Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero said the city is extremely grateful to the foundation for this grant.
“This provides the city with additional funds so we can complete and include all suggestions and ideas from citizens and citizen groups,” Pinero said. “We cannot thank them enough for their generosity.”