$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.

The- plan.

- - the flag ship park for the city- of picayune will see major- upgrades over the next few year- after grant money was - awarded to the city.- news 25's grant chighizola is - live in studio with more on how- that money will be allocated.

- - hey taylor, good evening.

- yes, picayune city officials- tell me this one point nine - million - dollar grant they've worked on- since last summer is one of - the largest grants of it's kind- ever awarded to the - city.

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

- here's more from city leaders i- picayune.

- - standup - "over here 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 b-p gulf - coast restoration fund grant, - which will now- go towards a complex that has - served local families for - decades.- sot- trevor adam: picayune park- and recreation- director- "this place a tremendous asset to this community, and that's - what this bp- - - - grant was intended for."

At the heart of the upgrades se- to happen at friendship park- include a new playground area t- replace the old kid's - kingdom, as well as upgrades to- restrooms, parking, and - surrounding athletic facilities- including soccer- fields.

- sot-trevor adam - "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 th- potential to be a game changer.- sot-janice stevens: picayune- city council member - "just knowing that we can revitalize this park, probably- is one of the biggest things- that has happened in picayune i- - - - a very long time."

Governor reeves still has to officially- approve the - funding and the construction bi- 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.

- sot-janice stevens- "you're going to see a lot of businesspeople and locals, just- local families help out down- here."

- - - sot-trevor adam - "it's just a safe haven for kid 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.- in picayune, grant chighizola,- news 25.-