Winfield Park wins $100K makeover

WINFIELD — Ivan K. Hill Recreational Park will be getting a makeover after Winfield Parks and Rec won the $100,000 Bobcat Park and Rec Makeover competition.
Out of over 100 entries, the park ended up as one of the
top five finalists, which people could vote on.
After several days of voting during the month of October, Bobcat announced on Oct. 28 that Ivan K. Hill Recreational Park had won the contest with 3,476 votes and will be receiving $100,000 to go toward their projects.
“Our project was selected from more than 100 entries from across the country,” Bobcat said in their official statement announcing the winner. “Thanks to everyone who shared and voted for our makeover entry.”
“The best way to make big strides in a small town is applying for help,” Winfield Park Director Gina Bryant told Bobcat in the statement. “We, through our city budget and fundraisers, are able to do a lot of great things in the park, but major renovations sometimes need assistance. This award will help us continue to move forward with our goals and mission.  It is proof that dreams can come true.”
Bryant explained the process the park went through to win the grant.
“We found this grant, and we applied for it,” she said. “It involved a narrative like you would normally write when you apply for a grant, and we had to make a 2-minute video describing why we thought we deserved this grant and what we would do with it.
“Alan Goforth, Lauren Goforth and Bethany Bryant helped make that video, then Alan submitted it, and he was the one who actually nominated us.
“We submitted it, and they replied to ask for more information and to let us know that we were in the top 10. We did a phone interview, which I did. We also had to submit a budget, which Heath Reed helped us do that. We submitted that, then we were in the top 5.
“That’s when our video went live on Bobcat’s website, and it went to public voting. That ended on Oct. 3. Each person could vote once per day.
“Ironically, we were by far the smallest area involved in the top five..”
Bryant said the funds will go toward upgrading some of the park’s existing athletic facilities and make them more accessible.
“We are replacing the fencing, backstop and dugouts on field three,” she said. “Then we’re going to add a concrete drive and sidewalks to the bathrooms and concession stand. Then we’re going to expand our existing restroom facility to make completely accessible stalls.”
Bryant said there were so many people who helped make this possible that it was difficult to thank all of them.
“There are so many people I want to thank, I’m afraid I’ll forget somebody,” she said. “The park board, Alan Goforth—he was phenomenal, he went to WBRC 6 and was on the air with me, and he was on local radio advertising for it—the National Recreational Park Association and Alabama Recreational Park Association helped, Heath Reed, all the local residents who voted or had their families vote for us and Dylan and Shelby (Reese) with their social media influence, and of course Lauren Goforth and Bethany Bryant for helping us with the video.”
Bryant stressed her gratitude for the incredible community support that allowed the park to win. She also added that anyone who wants to see the project go farther can help by donating to the Friends of the Park 501(c)3.