By Brooke Curley
brooke@gilavalleycentral.net
SAFFORD – It’s been a long time coming, but the Glenn Meadows Park is once again lush with greenery and filled with potential for the community.
Freeport McMoRan Inc. gave the community a grant of $83,800 to develop park and sports areas in 2016. Over the course of a year, Safford took the grant money and poured it into revamping the Glenn Meadows Park. The grant money was set toward installing irrigation and landscaping. Also, the grant money was utilized for new sidewalks, shade structures, and for revamping the play area. To discourage any illegal actions going on within the park, the city of Safford also installed security cameras within the park.
Kicking off the grand reopening, the city did a ribbon cutting commencement with Safford Mayor Jason Kouts as its main speaker, as well as a free barbeque, games, and outdoor movie showing. Welcoming to a large turnout, the park was just what the community needed on a sleepy Saturday afternoon.
Brooke Curley Photo/Gila Valley Central: A ribbon cutting with the youngsters of the Gila Valley in the photo, the city of Safford set off the night’s festivities in style.
“With the little bit of hard work and people coming together, we will accomplish many great things together,” Kouts said. “The key that I want to say is together, working together with the council, working together with the community, we’re on our way to success.”
From before the grand reopening at 4 p.m. to well after 7:30 p.m., local youth and their parents lounged in the now green grass of the park. After the ribbon cutting, youngsters played multiple timed games, including an obstacle course challenge, and go-cart race.
