BY AMBER J. CRAFT
Special to the Telegraph
The community came out on October 31st to witness the ribbon cutting of the newly constructed playground dedicated to the RJE Community Center in Starke.
and Shadera Coleman (adult).
Children dressed in Halloween costumes, accompanied by their parents, ran and played on the field, rode hayrides, and giggled while jumping in an inflatable bouncy house. Ring toss games and food were also available for participants to enjoy.
A collaboration between the City of Starke and the Florida Department of Health resulted in grant money being awarded and earmarked for this project, providing more activities for its citizens.
Once given the green light to begin construction, it only took six weeks to complete the playground.
“The Health Department was on board,” said City of Starke General Manager Drew Mullins. “It was very fast how we got everything working.”
Mullins also credited city public works employees for the fast completion.
Gym in need of repair
Alicia McMillan, president of Concerned Citizens, was in communication with the state and the city throughout the process.
“We received a grant from the Health Department,” she recalled. “The city asked us, and we said yes– we need something out here for the kids.”
The collaboration was soon in full swing.
“We went in and picked out all the different elements of the park, and then the city workers came in and installed them for us,” the Concerned Citizens leader said.
According to McMillan, the playground installation is Phase 1. In Phase 2, additions that will benefit seniors are planned.
“We have a second phase where we want to add some pavilions and a trail for the seniors to walk,” she said.
Phase 3 is focused on restoring the gymnasium, a crucial part of the community center, which needed a new roof and interior renovations when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The health crisis shut down all activities at the gym.
“When COVID came, it took everything. So right now, we’re trying to get back, but right now, our limited resources won’t allow us until we can get that gym,” McMillan said. “That gymnasium is our main source. So, since it’s been down for the last four to five years, we are really struggling with fundraising because that was our main fundraiser. We do our summer program here. We need to renovate the campus. Right now, the only one in function is the Head Start [program].”
McMillan added that the county provided funds for the gym’s roof repair, and her organization has a grant pending for the interior renovations.
Looking Forward to the Future
Carolyn Brown Spooner, Chair of the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners, has followed this project from its inception to witnessing the ribbon cutting. She believes this is the start of great things for the children in the community.
“When I was a kid, many, many moons ago, this was a haven of all kinds of activities for the community, and I’m just overjoyed to see it start to get back to what it used to be,” Spooner said.
When asked where she sees the park’s progress in five years, Spooner commented, “I see that gym being completed so the children can play inside different sports activities. I see people all around coming and enjoying the gym.”
Spooner also stated, “Eventually, on the other side of the gym, there will be a community garden that would also enhance the Feeding America program. The children will be able to participate in that as well.”
The community center was also a source of economic gain for the community because people from Live Oak, Lake City, Jacksonville, and surrounding areas would come to participate in or watch sports and other events.
There is currently an after-school program that allows children to get extra help and excel academically.
“In the first wing, there is a Head Start program, and when those areas get renovated, they will be able to offer more programs,” Spooner said.
Participants who gathered at the event appeared hopeful that the future would foster an environment of play and fellowship within the community.
