<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2LKn4S_1E8Ej47V00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2LKn4S_1E8Ej47V00" width="2048" height="1366" ><figcaption>Perkins Park is located at 105 Mulberry Street. (Sandra Hernandez/HHJ)</figcaption></figure>WARNER ROBINS — Perkins Park has been the site of various gatherings such as food truck roundups and viewing the Christmas lights. Now, it is being revamped to be a community asset and improve infrastructure in the city. The project is phase two of Operation Reawaken, a downtown revitalization initiative. Perkins Field is a two-parcel greenspace between City Hall and Commercial Circle, where the city has demolished 26,000 square feet of blighted commercial property, according to their website. Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said that space will be converted into an innovative community gathering space. It is in conjunction with their redevelopment plans. According to a media release, the planning effort is funded through the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and is being completed at no cost to the city. Patrick said the city applied for a grant through the University of Georgia’s Defense Community Resilience program, which is housed in the institute.According to their website, DCRP expands partner capacity to execute priority projects and access resources that address strategic vulnerabilities and meet local infrastructure, economic, environmental and community needs. The planning project will explore opportunities to create an attractive, functional and inclusive public space that encourages daily recreation, social interaction and community engagement, a press release sent by the city said. The anticipated completion date for the planning is this October. Patrick said they should have renderings available by that date as well. The plan also has an emphasis on water runoff and stormwater to make sure water is flowing properly to avoid any flooding issues in the future. The project will examine innovative stormwater management solutions designed to help address flooding and runoff concerns within the Commercial Circle district as well as Robins Air Force Base. Patrick said there are areas where standing water is common. As the city and RAFB continue to grow, they have to prepare for the risks, she said. “Any kind of flooding or runoff concerns that may impact Robins Air Force Base negatively because it’s going to flow towards [base]. We have to be proactive in how we design that infrastructure project. That is really the core of what this project is about,” she said. Patrick said the city will have an engagement session later this month. In these sessions, the community will be able to share what entertainment and recreation they want to see in the Perkins Park area. She mentioned that the city already has plans for an amphitheater, a multi-use trail, space for a farmer’s market and adding new playground equipment.“We really want to hear from the community what kind of great ideas they may have…we definitely want to hear what others may have in mind in the community,” she said. Patrick said the overall vision is for the area to be a community gathering space. She said they need daily recreation, social interaction and overall community engagement. It will also serve as a recreational centerpiece for the city. Perkins Park was formerly known as Perkins Field, where people gathered to play baseball for many years. The baseball field was no longer being used by the sports recreational program, leading to what it is now: an open greenspace. The space has been used for various events since Patrick took office in 2021. But before her term, it sat as an abandoned baseball facility. Patrick said the future of this area is being designed to be a place where people can sit on the lawn, walk or bike around and eventually listen to live music at the amphitheater or inside the civic center.“I’m really excited about it. I’m happy it is attached to Commercial Circle. It is easy to make a walking path from Commercial Circle over to our community gathering space and have a lot of new memories to be made for our constituents and visitors,” she said. Patrick described the area as an “unearthed gem.” She said it has become widely popular over the years and up to 10,000 people attend their food truck roundups. She said solidifying their plans beyond phase one of the project at no cost to the city is a win on all sides.“People will come if there’s something nice for them to participate in. This is why we’re really putting a focus on it. A great addition to any downtown is to have that good community gathering space,” she said. </div></body>

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WARNER ROBINS — Perkins Park has been the site of various gatherings such as food truck roundups and viewing the Christmas lights. Now, it is being revamped to be a community asset and improve infrastructure in the city. The project is phase two of Operation Reawaken, a downtown revitalization...

Perkins Park redevelopment plan to improve area and infrastructure in Warner Robins

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WARNER ROBINS — Perkins Park has been the site of various gatherings such as food truck roundups and viewing the Christmas lights. Now, it is being revampe

Perkins Park redevelopment plan to improve area and infrastructure in Warner Robins

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