Over the past two years, a nature-based park arose in the City of Moss Point. The recipe for how the park was built is a story of the people of the community – a mixture of young and old, who got their hands dirty. Contractors built the larger elements (parking, fence, pier), but volunteers did the rest.

This story is best told in the photos that captured the people of action along the way – a rich diversity of youth, adult citizens, community groups, and organizations that showed up to make it happen. From the initial planting of the park, the formation of a Friends Group for the Park, site cleanup and removal of invasive plants, and the making of a simple posts and rope fence, the process culminated with a celebration of the opening of the park – when this rich mix of people came together to celebrate.

Stories told in this forum along the way provide more depth to the story (links below), but here is a snapshot of the faces of those that helped create Sawmill Landing Park. Thanks to the vision and leadership of Mayor Billy Knight Sr., the Moss Point Board of Aldermen and Women, and the Rotary Club of Moss Point, with whom I proudly serve. We are most proud of the youth of Moss Point that now understand the value of community service.

The result of using this recipe to build this park is that these fine folks will care for it going forward. It is their park – to enjoy and value.

Planting Day