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Master Plan

On Tuesday, May 6, Friends of Laurel Street Park hosted a gathering with landscape architect Michelle Borst Lewis for residents to give input on a master plan for the Park. Michelle gathered ideas for what we want the Park to be! This master plan will serve as the guide when purchasing equipment and making improvements so that efforts and funds will have the most beneficial impact possible. Discussions included green space retention, more seating and picnic options, security/signage, tree cutting/trimming and replacement plantings, and additional play equipment for young children. If you missed the meeting, you can email your suggestions or comments to info@greaterbelhaven.com.

About Friends of Laurel Street Park

Friends of Laurel Street Park is a committee of GBNF which works to improve and maintain Laurel Street Park, our neighborhood’s playground and park with the cooperation and assistance of the City of Jackson parks department. “Friends” is comprised of a representative from five neighborhood organizations – Belhaven Garden Club, Belhaven House and Garden Club, Belhaven Improvement Association, Belhaven Heights Community Association and GBNF, plus three at-large members.

The committee is working on several exciting events to take place in the park. The committee is also working on hiring a landscape architect to develop a long-range plan for the park. This spring a neighborhood meeting will be held to allow interested neighbors to provide input to the landscape architect. The goal is to have the master plan ready to present to the neighborhood by late spring/early summer 2008.

Laurel Street Park is located at 1841 Laurel Street, near the intersection of Laurel and Howard streets, and Laurel and St. Mary streets. Laurel Street runs parallel to Riverside Drive.

Committee Members

Friends of Laurel Street Park committee members for 2008 and 2009 are: Tara Ellis (Chairman), Cassidy Anderson, Crystal Anderson, Christine Barron, Quin Breland, Dawn Denton, Matthew McLaughlin and Zella Tohill.

History of Friends of Laurel Street Park

In 2001, a grassroots group of Greater Belhaven parents and friends rallied together to raise over $40,000 for substantial imrovements to Laurel Street Park. In 2003, Friends of Laurel Street Park was formed to sustain this momentum and devise and implement short-and long-term goals for the park. Through the years, Friends has purchased and maintained equipment, landscaped and made other aesthetic improvements, and installed drainage and irrigation systems.

Support Laurel Street Park

You can help Friends improve the park by becoming a "Park Patron" with your tax-deductible donation of $200. Make your check payable to GBNF (with Laurel Street Park on the memo line) and mail it to GBNF, 954 Fortification Street, Jackson, MS 39202. Of course, gifts of any amount are always appreciated!

Park Patrons

Annual Gifts of $200 or More to Laurel Street Park

Balch & Bingham LLP

Bryan and Jane Anna Barksdale

Belhaven College

Belhaven Garden Club

Belhaven Improvement Association

Bradley Arant Rose & White PLLC

Brunini Grantham Grower & Hewes PLLC

Brett and Margaret Cupples

The Fairview Inn

First Presbyterian Day School