Installation is nearly complete on the new playground equipment at Glenn City Park in Pell City, and the City of Pell City expects work to begin shortly on the installation of new equipment on 19th Street.

City Council President James McGowan said members of his district are excited about the updates.

“Several residents have told me that they’re happy to see it; that they can hardly wait until their kids can start playing,” he said this week.

McGowan praised the look of the new park after the City’s Street Department graded the land to prevent drainage issues of the past and the installation company, low bidder J.A. Dawson of Pelham, laid the synthetic mulch at within the park’s borders.

“It really looks great out there now,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of positive comments.”

City Manager Brian Muenger said the project has been a high priority for the Council, which led members to pursue a Land Water Conservation Fund grant through the Alabama Department of Community Affairs to complete the work. The $100,000 project was paid with a 50 percent match from the City in funding and in-kind services.

Prior to the installation, some residents of the Glenn City area voiced concerns that the bathrooms on site at the park were being removed. McGowan said that instead of leaving the area void of public facilities the City improved the bathrooms at the Earnest White Community Center on 19th Street.

Residents also informed the Council of safety concerns while children use the park. Concrete posts are in place to prevent cars from driving into the park area, but McGowan said he’d like to see a fence installed to ease parents’ minds.

Muenger said he anticipated work would be complete on the 19th Street playground, near the Bridge Builders Boys and Girls Club, by the end of Thanksgiving week.