By Stephanie Nelson
Andalusia Star News

City of Andalusia employee Harvey Peacock works to finish
                     a project at Dream Park.

The Andalusia Dream Park renovation project is now in the hands of the city, and officials predict it will be open for use on Thursday.

Kristy White, Dream Park Revitalization committee co-chairman, said crews of volunteers worked tirelessly last week to make the park handicap-accessible. The build ended on Sunday.

“We did not finish, but I invite you to walk through and see the remarkable progress,” White said. “There are two new components that did not get built because we did not have the manpower. The city has agreed to get these ready before the Homecoming dedication.”

The renovation and expansion of the Dream Park, located on the Andalusia campus of LBWCC, is the civic project planned for the city’s Homecoming 2010 celebration. The park will be dedicated on Sat., Nov. 13, during the Homecoming gala.

Work consisted of adding 20 new “components,” including a handicap-accessible swing, ground-level mirror and rock wall; new railing throughout the park, and the installation of new “handprints and fence pickets,” which were sold as part of the project’s fundraising effort.

Dwight Mikel, Andalusia’s director of leisure services, said he expects the park to reopen for use Thursday morning.

“Now, that’s weather permitting, and right now, it looks like it might cooperate,” Mikel said. “I think the work space will be cleaned up and the finishing touches done by Wednesday night.”

Mikel said parts to two of the components didn’t arrive “in time” for the volunteer work drive.

“We have get cleaned up and get ready to open in time for the weekend,” he said. ”We might have to close at the first of next week to finish the installation, but we’ll get it done.”

People unable to pick up tools Monday or anyone with questions about future Dream Park projects, can continue to call White at 334-881-2246 or 334-488-1770.