This week, Picayune Parks and Recreation Director Trevor Adam announced the completion of upgrades to field five at Friendship Park.

To date, 10 of 16 fields have been upgraded at the park, just in time for league and tournament play, Adam said. 

Picayune’s Director of Operations Harvey Miller said Friendship Park will be full this baseball season as many of the slots are booked this March through August. 

“For the past two years, we’ve been working on these upgrades,” Miller said. “Heath Stevens started this job and Trevor has done a lot of work. We’re excited about the upgrades. Tournament directors look at these fields when deciding where to host. These tournaments also make an a big economic impact on our city.”

The funding for upgrades was budgeted for the fiscal year, Miller said. Also, the Picayune Youth Athletic Association is contributing funds to upgrades at the field. 

Field five presented the biggest safety concern, Adam said, and cost about $17,000 to repair. The old fence was torn in places and separated from posts, he said. 

“We have a completely new fence surrounding the field now,” Adam said. “We now have a new backstop with netting. This keeps foul balls from hitting fans. As another prevention measure, we raised the fence another 16 feet. There is also new field dirt.”

In September 2015, the city purchased a sod cutter, which will solve the field’s problem with standing water, Adam said. 

“We rose the field at least four-to-six-inches, which provides a good run off when it rains,” Miller said. “It won’t take as long for the fields to get back in shape.”

Miller said during the spring and fall, more than 1,000 girls and boys participate in sports activities at Friendship Park. 

 “It’s been nice having support from Harvey, Jim Luke, the mayor and city council regarding the upgrades. They put their trust in me to take care of it,” Adam said. “Heath also did such a good job starting this,” Adam said of the previous Parks Director.

The PYAA is supplying the funding for the upgrades to field eight and bases for both the baseball and softball fields, Adam said. 

“It’s also been nice to work with the PYAA,” Adam said. “They have been amazing with their support and willingness to invest in our children’s futures,” he said.