The City of Statesboro and Bulloch County will host a ribbon cutting to mark the reopening of Reverend W.D. Kent Park, 1 West Grady Street on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 4:00 p.m.
Due to the high positivity rate of COVID-19 cases in Bulloch County, the ribbon cutting will feature a small, simple ceremony.
Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar and Bulloch County Board of Commissioners Chairman Roy Thompson will offer a few remarks before the Statesboro City Council and Bulloch County Board of Commissioners cut the ribbon to officially open the park.
The newly renovated Reverend W.D. Kent Park boasts a covered basketball pavilion as well as a multi-age playground, three family picnic pavilions with grills, an uncovered half basketball court, a walking trail, drinking fountain, new parking lot, improved lighting, security cameras, Wi-Fi access and renovated restrooms.
The park previously consisted of six uncovered half basketball courts and a restroom facility.
The additions and renovations at the park are part of a larger $4.5 million project funded by the City and County to improve both Reverend W.D. Kent Park and Luetta Moore Park, which reopened to the public on July 31.
Construction began at the parks in early March 2021 but faced some delays due to supply chain disruption and heavy rainfall. Statesboro general contracting firm John Lavender & Associates, Inc. was hired to complete the project. Both parks will continue to be under the management of the Statesboro-Bulloch Parks & Recreation Department.