Mayor, officials attend dedication of children's park

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The City of Mobile has followed through on a promise it made to the Mobile Terrace Community five years ago. 

The official opening was held Saturday for Mobile Terrace Park. A snip of ribbon at 13th Street and Lincoln Boulevard marked the official opening of Mobile's newest park.

Mayor Sam Jones said the $500,000, one-acre park has been five years in the making.The Mobile City Council voted in favor of funding for the park last year, despite financial woes.

Photos: Mobile Terrace Park dedicated

"When we started back in 2007, annexing this area, there were certain things we told people we would do if you become citizens of Mobile," said the Mayor.  We came out and we paved dirt roads, we don't have any dirt roads, now they're all paved streets.  We've got hundreds of street lights out here that didn't exist."

Jones added that housing and urban development crews leaned up 'dilapidated housing' in the Mobile Terrace area following the annexation in 2007.

"We've extended our police protection. The new precinct is the best precinct, performing precinct in the city of Mobile," Jones said. "So, these folks have seen a real change in the quality of life."

The park is the last item on that list.  But, councilwoman Gina Gregory said it's not the least important.

"This park is a true asset.  It is a place where the folks who live here can bring their children and their grand children to come to a safe place to play.  They haven't had that  before," Gregory said.

And some of those who live in the community agree.

"It's the water area that makes it," Ebony Frison said.

Frison said her cousin and other children in the area will enjoy the water spray during the hot summer months, but, clearly the park has something to keep kids entertained year round

''They don't have nothing to do around here so this park is going to help," Jonielle Yelder said.