$1.9M in BP funds to improve Friendship Park in Picayune

The flagship park for the City of Picayune will see major upgrades over the next few years after grant money was awarded to the city.

Picayune city officials tell News 25 this $1.9 million grant they’ve worked on since last summer is one of the largest grants of its kind ever awarded to the city.

The money is going back into the community to benefit recreational opportunities for kids and families in the surrounding area.

Over at Friendship Park, this slab will soon become a space for Picayune families to make many new memories together.

Picayune has been announced as the recipient of a BP Gulf Coast Restoration Fund Grant which will now go towards a complex that has served local families for decades. Picayune Parks and Recreation Director Trevor Adam said, “This place is a tremendous asset to this community, and that’s what this BP Grant was intended for.”

At the heart of the upgrades set to happen at Friendship Park include a new playground area to replace the old Kid’s Kingdom as well as upgrades to restrooms, parking, and surrounding athletic facilities including soccer fields. “We’re working on turf fields, that’s in the grant. New soccer facility, you know soccer for us it’s grown over here. We put in to be able to expand.”

As a mother and grandmother who has spent countless hours at the park, Picayune City Council member Janice Stevens says this revitalization has the potential to be a game changer. “Just knowing that we can revitalize this park, probably is one of the biggest things that has happened in Picayune in a very long time.”

Governor Reeves still has to officially approve the funding and the construction bid process still has to take place, but city leaders say they’re thankful for the team effort to secure this funding from city and state leaders to local citizens. “You’re going to see a lot of business people and locals; just local families help out down here.”

“It’s just a safe haven for kids and it’s a securement of their future, you know, for every kid, not just Picayune, but Pearl River County in general.”

Upgrades to Friendship Park are expected to take a year to a year-and-a-half to complete.