Renovations Planned for JuJu Hutson Park in Hardeeville

News Summary

Residents of Hardeeville are in for some changes at JuJu Hutson Park, which is currently closed for renovations. The major improvements include a pavilion, new public restrooms, and expanded open spaces. These changes are part of a larger improvement project, set to be completed by June with the first phase already underway. JuJu Hutson Park, named after a local cycling enthusiast, has been a beloved community space for years and is seeing increased visitor demand as park usage has surged nearly 90 percent since 2018. Updates will be shared via official social media channels.

Exciting Renovations Underway at JuJu Hutson Park in Hardeeville

Attention, residents of Hardeeville! If you’ve been planning a trip to JuJu Hutson Park, you’ll need to rethink those plans. The beloved playground is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in June. That’s right! Starting from January 13, playground enthusiasts will have to wait a few months as a major upgrade gets rolling.

What’s Happening?

The exciting renovations are part of Phase II of a comprehensive park improvement project at the Richard Gray Recreation Complex. This is a significant leap forward in enhancing your favorite park! So, what can visitors look forward to? New features will include a charming pavilion complete with picnic tables, public restrooms for added convenience, and an expanded open space perfect for gatherings. Plus, to make your park experience even better, permanent fencing will be installed.

Who’s in Charge?

A local company, Beaufort Construction, has been tapped to bring these upgrades to life. They’re set to work diligently to ensure that all renovations are wrapped up by June. It’s all hands on deck to make the park even more fabulous than before!

A Tribute to a Local Legend

For those who might not be aware, JuJu Hutson Park holds special significance for the community. The park is named in honor of JuJu Hutson, a lifelong Hardeeville resident known for her love of cycling and advocacy for recreation spaces. Her home was once right next to Hardeeville City Hall, and the land for the park was purchased as a tribute to her contributions to the city. JuJu was even awarded a Key to the City for her efforts!

A Look Back in Time

The plans to revamp the playground have been in the pipeline for quite a while—about seven years, to be exact! The Hardeeville City Council gave the green light for this renovation plan way back in 2018, signaling a commitment to improving community spaces.

What’s Next?

Now, as we’re engrossed in Phase II, it’s worth noting that there’s more to come. This renovation project is being executed in three phases. Phase I has already been completed, which included setting up a new playground location back in 2019. And what’s in store for Phase III? Well, plans include resurfacing the existing parking lot, applying fresh striping, and introducing landscaping islands complete with trees. On top of that, there’s another parking lot project underway to accommodate the surge in visitors.

Park Popularity is Booming!

Speaking of visitors, since 2018, park usage has jumped by almost 90 percent, thanks to increased sports tourism opportunities, park enhancements, and new amenities. There’s clearly a huge demand for these recreational spaces, and the city is stepping up to meet that demand.

What Else is Open?

While the playground is undergoing its transformations, the rest of the Richard Gray Recreation Complex will remain open for public use. So, families can still enjoy other amenities while waiting for the much-anticipated reopening of the playground.

Stay Tuned for Updates!

For those eager to mark their calendars, updates regarding the park’s reopening will be shared via the City of Hardeeville’s social media pages. So be sure to keep an eye out!

As we count down the days until phase II wraps up, it’s a great time to appreciate what this park means to our community and to look forward to all the fun that’s to come. Happy waiting, Hardeeville!