Good Hope park reopens

Patrick Camp, The Cullman Times, Ala.
Updated ·2 min read

May 22—GOOD HOPE — The new municipal park in the city of Good Hope will reopen Wednesday, after a brief closure.

Monday, Mayor Jerry Bartlett said the park had been temporarily closed due to exposed rebar which was required to create forms for the five-foot sidewalks circumventing the playground area. He said the sidewalks had been completed and workers would be removing the forms on Tuesday, allowing visitors to begin utilizing the park again the following day.

Bartlett also said signs and a baby changing station had also been installed in the park's bathrooms.

With the $137,000 cost to complete the parks basketball and pickleball courts accounting for the majority of the park's remaining $215,000 budget, the council approved the transfer of an additional $100,000 from its Alcohol Revenue Fund to account for future costs.

The council discussed moving forward with laying sod and irrigation lines in the park before the dry months of the quickly approaching summer makes the task unfeasible. It is likely, however, that the area designated for a future splash pad may remain bare for the time being.

Bartlett said he would like to replenish the city's funds before beginning work on the splash pad which he believed could be included in next year's budget. Both he and city planner Corey Harbison favored the idea of connecting the concrete areas of the courts and future splash pad to make the task of mowing easier on city workers.

Bartlett also said this area would allow for the installation of picnic tables with umbrellas to give parents a shaded place to watch their children.

The city also suspended the rules of order to approve a newly revamped zoning ordinance. City Clerk Christie Chamblee said the previous ordinance was drafted more than five years ago.

The new ordinance, she said, was developed after councilmembers and planning commissioners had developed a list of minor revisions to the previous ordinance. Rather than make the changes through a series of amendments, city officials decided it would be cleaner to craft a new document.

A "Free Landfill Pickup Day" will take place within Good Hope city limits from Tuesday, May 28, until Friday, May 31. Residents are asked to have items ready to be picked up at the roadside by 7 a.m.

Accepted items include

— Appliances.

— Mattresses.

— Household furniture.

Prohibited items include

— Household garbage.

— Batteries.

— Gas tanks.

— Tires.

— Paint and paint cans.

— Shingles.

— Construction materials.

— Hazardous materials.

In other business the council:

— Approved to pay Branded by Christ Cowboy Church $2,500 for the 4th of July fireworks show.