November 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 15

Natchez Renewal
A positive future for parks and recreation
By Ryan Porter and Sanora Cole
I
n 2020, the priority of newly elected Mayor Dan Gibson and newly
elected Alderwoman Valencia Hall was to build a recreational complex
for the City of Natchez, Mississippi. Their priorities quickly shifted
to restoring the city's six parks due to the poor conditions of the
playground equipment. The city secured an almost $3 million recreation
bond to restore not only its six parks, but also build additional tennis courts
at Duncan Park, along with pickleball courts, and renovate three baseball
fields. The recreational bond money also was secured to restore the youth
center at North Natchez Park and the golf clubhouse at Duncan Park.
Our vision
was to have
ADA-compliant and certified recreational
equipment in our parks
with interactive components for all
children and adults to enjoy. This
included ADA-compliant and certified
swings and accessible pathways.
Programming, especially accessible
programming, also was an
important component of Natchez
Parks and Recreation.
Parks and Recreation
Revitalized
The City of Natchez had not had
a full-time parks and recreation
director since the sudden passing
of Ralph Tedder, an outstanding
community youth advocate and director,
in 2008. In 2021, the mayor
and Natchez Board of Aldermen
hired Sanora Cole to carry out
their vision. Cole, under the guidance
and support of Alderwoman
Hall, chair of the city's Recreation
Committee, and Richard Burke,
executive assistant, oversaw the
installation of the new playground
equipment and the beginning of
the rebuilding of three ballfields,
with
one
ballfield becoming a
multisport field. Cole also implemented
multiple programs for the
community's children, youth and
families during her time as director
of parks and recreation.
The city recently broke ground on
two additional tennis courts at Duncan
Park, had the ribbon cutting for
the newly restored youth center and
will soon begin construction on the
new golf clubhouse. Mayor Gibson
and Alderwoman Hall initiated the
application process for both the
youth center and the golf clubhouse
to be considered for Mississippi
Landmark designation due to their
historical nature. This designation
has been granted by the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History,
thanks to the efforts of the Historic
Natchez Foundation.
Historic Duncan Park also has
an 18-basket
disc
golf course,
thanks to Burke's vision and the
joint efforts of city leadership, civic
organizations and private donors.
The course is host to the annual
Bluff City Open tournament and
was selected to host the fourth annual
Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of
Fame Championship in 2025.
Moreover, the Natchez Board
of Aldermen and Adams County
With a strong sense of unity and collaboration,
the City of Natchez, Mississippi,
can continue to create viable green spaces
for its youth, seniors and families.
Board of Supervisors have been
working together to maintain the
city pool and soccer fields, with
the current director of parks and
recreation, Ryan Porter, serving
as a liaison between the two. He
is determined to have a formidable
parks and recreation department
for all of Natchez to be proud of.
With a strong sense of unity and
collaboration,
the
City
of Natchez
can continue to create viable
green spaces for its youth, seniors
and families, which will, in turn,
improve the overall health of the
community.
Ryan Porter is Director of Natchez (Mississippi) Parks and
Recreation (rporter@natchez.ms.us). Sanora Cole is Former
Director of Natchez Parks and Recreation.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF NATCHEZ (MISSISSIPPI) PARKS AND RECREATION
November 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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