| the year ahead |
In 2022 ...
Parks and Recreation Authority continues with 5-year plan
by Jack R . Jordan
Much like many other organizations the Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Authority was knocked down a bit due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ You can plan all you want but most times , nothing goes according to plan ,” MCCPRA director Greg Icard told Moultrie Scene in an interview regarding the agency ’ s plans for 2022 .
When the COVID pandemic swept across the country , many MCCPRA programs had to be put on hold . But as 2021 has moved along , Icard said that it didn ’ t change much in terms of the overall plan .
“ We are here for the community ,” he said . “ I want the people here to have the same opportunities for recreation that people can get in larger places . Everything we do is for them .”
MCCPRA ’ s mission statement is fairly simple and the plans to fulfill that mission are fairly simple as well .
“ To improve the quality of life for the citizens of Colquitt County by providing access to parks , open spaces , programs and all areas of recreation in order to serve the needs of our community at all stages of life ,” the statement reads .
Icard is meticulous in his planning . His plans go forward up to five years if everything goes exactly as he plans .
“ Obviously these things are very much subject to change but there are many things within the next few years that we want to do .”
Many things on Icard ’ s agenda have already been in the works for some time . For example , in
October the MCCPRA opened its new Bark Park at Knuck-McCrary Park . Icard and MCCPRA associate director , Maggie Davidson , first discussed the idea of a dog park after Davison returned from a state conference in 2020 .
“ Things get pushed up and pushed back constantly … With the Bark Park , we had a tentative goal for October 30 but we weren ’ t even sure if materials would be available by then . Things aren ’ t happening at the same speed they used to . I ’ m a patient guy but it just throws everything off ,” Icard said .
While timelines are still subject to change , the Bark Park is just one of the many projects the MCCPRA has on its calendar for the coming years . Icard said that down the road , there will be bigger changes and additions but for now he and the rest of his team are focusing on improving and upgrading existing MCCPRA properties , parks and fields .
“ We are trying to expand the things that we already have for people ,” he said . “ That ’ s part of the reason we did the Bark Park . People want to have a place they can go and be outside and be with their family and be around others .”
The MCCPRA has already started working on identifying “ problem trees ” in certain areas that can be removed in hopes to lay the groundwork for future projects . For example , they are working towards creating a new bike trail that will help connect the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to other parts of southern Moultrie such as the YMCA .
Projects will continue to begin and run throughout the year but some of the biggest on Icard ’ s agenda are repainting the Shaw Gym , up-
26 MoultrieScene JANUARY 2022