MAX DEEN MEMORIAL PARK

Max Deen Memorial Park is a medium-size neighborhood park surrounded by homes and businesses. Located near the health department and Appling Healthcare, the park is in a relatively busy area. A playground, tennis court, and new aquatics center anchor this community hub. However, the old community pool still sits empty on a prominent corner, and disused structures are scattered between the play areas. Most of the park property is also a large, open space that becomes uncomfortably hot on summer days. The park’s convenient location suggests it should be busy and well-used. However, without shade and programming, more than half of the park sits unused.

PROPOSED: This conceptual plan shows a possible park update. A paved or gravel walking path is shown winding through the park under shade trees and around a multi-use field that can be used for a variety of sports and events. The path connects to parking areas or streets on all four sides of the park, offering a convenient way for community members to spend time outside or get some exercise. The fenced dog park at the center of the site could tie into the existing fence around the retention basin, reducing construction costs and labor. A drop-off loop and parking are shown in front of the new aquatics center. The existing but disused concrete play surface is shown here repurposed for pickleball. The playground is popular with area children but could be fenced in for parental peace of mind. The old pool is shown here as a skate park. Terre Haute, Indiana, converted a similar pool into a skate park for about $90,000 in 2019.