In the fall of 1999, City of Cadiz officials surprised the late Juanita Oates when a parcel of land — located between Line and Hayden streets, and bequeathed by Chappell Wilson — was turned into a community park, and named in her honor.
More than 25 years later, all that remains on the landscaped grounds is a chain-link fence and a singular slide — remnants of a safe green space long gone from the property.
After a recent conversation with the News Edge, Cadiz Mayor Todd King and Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Hunter both confirmed that 90% of the playground equipment has been removed within the last five years following a state auditor’s evaluation of insurance and liability — in which the equipment was deemed “unsafe” and “unfit” for use.
Hunter said this particular space, and its future, has been discussed inside the Parks & Recreation purview within the last two years.
With the most recent remodel of the West Cadiz Park playground, Hunter noted the process to bring in community partners alongside the Army Corps of Engineers generated a smooth transition, and with it comes more regulations and consistent inspections for the facility.
Meanwhile, the Parks & Recreation annual budget is mostly formed through taxes collected within the Cadiz-Trigg County Tourist Commission, and with little-to-no annually generated revenue on which to speak, Hunter said there are challenges in juggling more than one large project per budget cycle.
Also on many’s radar, according to Hunter, is that nearby Central Park and the Cadiz Railroad Trail can be found somewhat annually manicured — but in similar vacant and various states of disrepair and lost functionality.
Both can still be used by the public, but remain in need of some tender love and care.
Hunter reiterated that collaborative efforts, efforts like West Cadiz Park, come together when multiple partners are at the table.
If there is anything that has helped re-energize this kind of parlance in Trigg County, it’s the overwhelmingly positive response to the West Cadiz Park remodel, the rejuvenated and reminiscent talk of Swimming Pool Hill, the growing success of the Trigg County Recreation Complex, the continued admiration of the John L. Street Library and its programming, and this general hum from locals looking for another way to engage their families inside the city limits.
Hunter confirmed that West Cadiz Park has been “booming” since its rebirth, and that he has been approached by unnamed community members seeking to potentially add onto Central Park’s public profile.
