Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Calhoun Community Development Corporation (Calhoun CDC) is planning a community-wide event aimed to bring residents together and garner support for improvements to the area’s park.

Fun Day in the Park, set for Saturday, June 28, is an event chocked full of activities providing fun and fellowship for all ages including door prizes, music, games, food, giveaways and more. According to one of the organizers, Carolyn Turner, the day is intended as a chance for residents to come together and celebrate community spirit.  

In addition to these offerings, organizers invite individuals and organizations to purchase booth space for selling wares or providing information about community services.

“We want people to become aware of what we are doing as an organization,” Turner said. “We are hoping to get more people out [to the park] to support us and help in our endeavors.”

Turner explained that the Calhoun CDC is a nonprofit organization based in Letohatchee and focused on creating activities, projects and programs that support the physical and social development of the area’s youth while fostering community togetherness.

“One of the CDC’s most notable accomplishments is the Calhoun Community Park, which has been a pillar of the community for more than 25 years,” Turner said. “Renovations have already taken place, and additional improvements will be completed in phases as funds become available.

Carlos Turner, a member of the Calhoun CDC, has an information technology background. Once he moved to Tuscaloosa, Carlos realized the multitude of opportunities available in other areas and developed a desire to bring more programs back to Lowndes County.

“We began to branch out and looked at potentially providing other services,” he explained. “We are thinking about the things that Lowndes County doesn’t have or that we can help bring forth, offering resources that may not be readily available.”

Already, Calhoun CDC has helped to add a fence in front of the park, replaced a damaged swing set with new equipment and added a climber as part of phase one.

“We want to add one more piece of equipment, which is a play set,” Carolyn said. “After that, we want to establish a picnic area where people can sit down and have gatherings.”

Phase one included the addition of two park grills. Future plans include improvements to the existing pavilion.”

Although the CDC actively applies for grants, completion is high, Turner noted, and funding is more difficult to obtain for non-municipal organizations.  

“Everything takes money,” Turner said. “We need money for infrastructure. We do local fundraisers, and we just want people to be aware of what we are doing and what we want to do.”

While the park is the organization’s greatest accomplishment so far, Turner said the organization also plans to expand its efforts to include additional programs and services focused on supporting and enriching the lives of local youth beyond the park setting.

“We want to do it for the children,” Turner said. We want to do something that we can be really proud of, something that will help revitalize our home community.

“Despite funding challenges, the Calhoun CDC remains committed to improving the quality of life in the area and creating safe, welcoming opportunities for youth and families alike.”

The organization invites Lowndes County residents to come out to Fun Day, to have fun and support a great cause. Persons interested in helping with the effort can offer support by purchasing a booth adding to funds raised and also to offerings available for Fun Day patrons to enjoy.

Fun Day in the Park will take place June 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Calhoun Community Park, 77 Calhoun Cut Off Rd, Letohatchee, AL. For questions or booth information, call (334) 392-2718.