Funds Will Help Complete a St. Joseph Park`s Extreme Makeover

St. Joseph`s city council gives the stamp of approval for funds to be donated to a local park. The Bode Trust Fund has awared more than $39,000 to complete renovations for John Lucas Park. Some communitiy member say the good news is well overdue. "The importance of this park is that this park has served this particular community in the midtown area for years," says Juneteenth Committee Co-chair, Ramadhan Washington. Washington uses John Lucas Park as part of his daily routine. "I come down here everyday and open the restrooms up. I come in and clean up the debri..that`s been thrown around," says Washington. He says this park is one tool the community needs. But for years this park has been in need. "It`s bare. There aint nothing to do...but play basketball and people don`t wanna play basketball all the time. We wanna play tennis or golf or like baseball and stuff," says middle school student, Shaquille Nance. "The only thing I don`t like about it is they took out the equipment and now there`s nothing for us to play with, adds, middle school student, Desiree Cage. The park has been in the renovation process for three years...and it`s still not done. "I think this park has been overlooked," says park advocate, Jerome Williams. But community members hope that being overlooked is no longer a concern since funds for completion were granted. And when playground equipment is brought in....they hope that it will bring more options and opportunities into this community. Community Development Coordinators with the city say the John Lucas Park renovation process was delayed because of a lack of funds. The Bode Trust Fund will allow park renovations to be completed by this fall.