“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about,” according to a quote by educator Angela Schwindt. School is in session on a one-acre plot of land between Atlantic Drive and Palmetto Street in the mid-island neighborhood of Glynn Haven on St. Simons. Originally the site of Glynn Haven Baptist Church, a quaint little white building with a red door where services had been held since the mid-1950s, which was demolished quite controversially in 2017 by a developer who acquired the property, Not only was the church torn down without a permit, but the lot was clear cut, leaving not a single tree. Seeing an opportunity, a group of enterprising young neighborhood children began building forts and pathways on the now dirt lot, now dubbed “Shanty Town,” in an attempt to claim the land as their own. With over 200 children living in the Glynn Haven neighborhood and lacking close access to a green space for play, this certainly seemed like the answer they had been seeking. While the “Shanty Town” forts and structures have been torn down multiple times, the children continue to rebuild, demonstrating their desire to have an accessible play area.
Glynn Haven vacant lot
County Commissioners have taken notice and agree that the neighborhood needs a recreational park. In a world of devices and screen time, the fact that these youngsters are willing to play on a dirt lot and repeatedly rebuild their “town” demonstrates how much this area needs and wants a recreation area. “The county has taken the leadership role of getting the property under contract for purchase but will only proceed if there are significant funds raised from the community to match and make this happen. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to partner with our community in providing the Glynn Haven neighborhood a green space/play park instead of 10 more homes,” shared Commissioner Cap Fendig. With a walking trail, benches and a play structure, the park would be a tremendous asset to this mid-island community.
Kids playground
While the county will fund a generous portion of the purchase and development, and maintain the park once it is established, Commissioners approached the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation seeking help in creating a community partnership to buy the land. By acting as the fiscal agent accepting donations from the community for this purpose, the Foundation is already positioned to handle the funds and fund management, allowing the process to advance quite quickly. “We are grateful to the Foundation for providing a tax-deductible conduit for funds to help secure this purchase. I challenge the community to step forth, join us, and make this purchase happen,” Fendig stated. Paul White, President and CEO, of the Foundation added, “We are so looking forward to working on the development of Glynn Haven Park, as this is another example of how the Coastal Georgia Foundation can act as a partner to help the community solve problems. By helping to streamline the process, the odds of making this effort successful on a short timeline increase dramatically.”
“The fact that this endeavor began with children passively and creatively making the most of an opportunity reminds us that even the gentle voices can and will be heard,” added Jennifer Fussell, Marketing Director for the Foundation.
UPDATED INFORMATION -
Glynn Haven Park fundraising
In addition to contributions from residents of the neighborhood, the generous support from the County Commission, and the assistance of The Coastal Georgia Foundation with facilitating donor-directed funds and serving as a fiscal agent for the project, others are stepping up as well. The St. Simons Land Trust has provided a $25,000 challenge gift, pledging a dollar-for-dollar match for every contribution up to the $25,000 total. Golden Isles Fund for Trees (GIFT) has provided financial support and has offered to provide trees for the park. Additionally, Sea Island Company has generously agreed to provide in-kind assistance with the transformation of the current dirt lot. Currently more than $140,000 of the $200,000 needed has been raised through donations, matching gifts, and pledges.
**PROPERTY HAS BEEN ACQUIRED**
On May 11, Cap Fendig made the following announcement: “[The] Glynn County Commissioners voted tonight to complete the purchase of Glynn Haven Park! The residents stepped up, island friends stepped up, Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, the Land Trust, and many more partnered to make this happen!! I really want you to know the negotiations for this property began the first meeting in January and each Commissioner played a very pivotal part in helping forge the community partners to get this done! Now generations after generations will enjoy a mid island park, the Glynn Haven Park!
The purchase of the vacant lot has been completed! The county has closed on the property and now moves to Phase II of the project for the design and installation of the park.
There will be community celebration at the lot on Monday, May 24 from 5:30-7pm where amenities can be voted on. Del Sur will be selling $5 sausage sandwiches with all proceeds going directly to the development of the park.
Contributions to assist with design and installation of the proposed park can be made through Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation HERE and are fully tax deductible. For more information, contact the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation at 912.324.4120 or info@coastalgeorgiafoundation.org.
