Art for the Park

Art for the Park, the fundraiser for Laurel Street Park held every other year, was held Thursday, April 23 at the Fairview Inn.  This year's event featured a silent auction of art and other items donated by local merchants. Howard Jones Jazz provided the music, the invitations and the "signature event" created by Cleta Ellington. The event was a huge success that everyone enjoyed.

Funds raised will support the development of the master plan for the park developed by Michelle Borst Lewis.  The master plan is focused on reworking existing conditions to address issues such as safety, drainage and aesthetics.  The plan includes security lighting, a new entrance for the park, new playground equipment for the smallest users, and more picnic tables, gliders and benches for adults.  There are many naming opportunities available.  For more information regarding the master plan or naming opportunities, please contact Tara Ellis at tellis@balch.com or at 601-940-9220.

Friends of Laurel Street Park is a committee of GBNF which works to improve and maintain 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.

Park improvements and activities would not be possible without your support through this fundraiser, and the generous financial contributions of our Laurel Park Patrons.  If you would like to be a Patron, please send a check for $200 made out to GBNF with the memo line “Friends of Laurel Street Park.”

Tailgating at the Park

Belhaven Neighborhood football fans defied the rainy forecast and overcame the muggy weather on Thursday night to watch the Ole Miss/South Carolina game on a big screen in Laurel Street Park.  Everyone brought football watching food and the kids enjoyed bouncing in two space jumps while parents visited and watched the game.

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!

Laurel Park Patrons Annual Gifts of $200 or more

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
Tara and Tony Ellis
The Fairview Inn
First Presbyterian Day School
Foreman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP
Greater Belhaven Security Association
Bill and Nan Harvey
Kats’ Wine Cellar
Hawkins Stracener & Gibson PLLC
Henry LaRose
Light and Glass Studio
McDade’s Market
Martha and William Pierre
Pizza Shack
Alex and Mary Purvis
Southern Beverage Company/Budweiser
Stewart and Vicki Swayze
Phillip and Stella Gray Sykes
Mark and Treasure Tyson
Mary and Christian Waddell

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