Plans underway for park improvements
Project is the joint effort of Millen Woman's Club, Milllen Better Hometown

From left, James Swindell of Georgia Arson Control, Inc. presents a $3,500 check to Millen/Jenkins County Fire Chief Dwayne Herrington on behalf of an anonymous citizen who provided information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for a Jenkins County fire. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Millen Woman's Club has chosen the park behind the Millen Community House as a civic improvement project for 2006-2008. Every two years the club chooses a project to benefit the community and enters that project in the Georgia Woman's Club's Community Improvement Contest.

The Millen Community House offers a wonderful setting for the renovation of a park that the whole community can enjoy. Millen Better Hometown will work with the Millen Woman's Club to help secure grants and funding for the park.

The initial step in implementing the project was to have a conceptual design drawn by The University of Georgia's School of Environmental Design, a service available to Millen as a member of Georgia's Better Hometown Program. The conceptual design includes three areas: a quiet landscaped area with benches, an extensive playground area and a picnic area with a shelter and tables. The plan incorporates existing trees and play equipment, and adds additional equipment and landscaping plus installation of the picnic shelter and tables, and benches in various locations throughout the grounds. Part of the design includes a large open lawn to provide a place for running, playing ball and throwing Frisbees. The picnic shelter and tables can be a place for refuge from the sun and a relaxing meal with family and friends. The landscaped quiet area is a place for visitors to sit, read and relax. Flowering trees and ornamental plantings are incorporated to enhance the appearance of the park. All plants suggested are hardy, low-maintenance varieties.

The most expensive element in implementing the plan is the purchase of play equipment. The project is designed so that equipment can be purchased and landscaping installed in three phases, with each phase costing about $10,000. The Millen Woman's Club's current goal is to raise money and install the first phase by March 2008.

Millen Better Hometown has applied for a $5,000 grant from Hamburger Helper Corp. to help fund the improvements. A major factor in getting the grant is evidence of community support. Community members can support the grant request by going to the website Click on "Find a Project," select "Georgia" and type in "Millen," then click on "Millen Community House Park." There is a place there to make a comment in support of the project. The deadline for making comments is Sunday, Sept. 30.

Any individuals and groups are welcome to help with the project. Contact Millen Better Hometown at (478) 982-5595 for suggestions or information.