South Bibb Co. Residents Want New Parks and Recreation Facilities

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents in South Bibb County are meeting Thursday night to talk about parks and recreation needs in their area.

“We have nothing out here,” South Bibb County resident Patrick Monroe said.

Monroe is talking about parks and recreation facilities. He’s lived on this side of town since 1975. He’s watched it grow, but says its missing something.

“We have nothing for our children to go to…someplace for the families to go,” Monrow said. “We have no facilities out here at all in South Bibb County.”

Sara Young Willis Park is the only park in the area. It has two playgrounds, an open field, and a path for walkers, but residents want more.

“They’d be interested in things like softball fields, tennis court, basketball,” Bibb County Commissioner Bert Bivins said. “They may want a swimming pool, could want a gym. I’m not sure, that’s why I want to hear from them.”

Bivins is hoping residents will speak up during Thursday night’s community meeting.

“We’re going to try to just sit and listen to what people have to say about their desires and what they would like to have in recreation,” Bivins said.

Bivins says residents will create a “wish list” he can take back to the county to work on.

“We want to hear what the people want in a recreation area. It would help if they had priorities to those things they want,” Bivins said. “Recreation is something people all over Bibb County, anywhere you go, people want recreation.”

The new and improved parks and recreation facilities will be paid for with SPLOST money.

Residents interested in sharing their ideas are invited to attend Bivin’s community meeting. It is at the Porter-Ellis Community Center on 5987 Houston Road and starts at 7 p.m.

There will be other community meetings in the future. The county is currently working on an online survey for the public to submit their thoughts.