Funderburg Park
And a Good Time Was Had By All! That’s the best way to describe the Grand Opening of Funderburg Park in the 100 degree heat last Saturday.
The park, off Funderburg Drive, was such a dream of George Funderburg that he and his wife gave land and money to build a park in that neighborhood. He had vision. A few others shared the vision. Some did not.
The initial donation came some 13 years ago. Only through the tenacity of a few people who believed has it come to fruition. Now, as Bobby Norris said so eloquently in his remarks Saturday, it is up to us to keep it the park it is now. It is up to us to use it, and not abuse it. It is up to us to stop people if we see abuse, or call for help. It is up to us to enjoy it.
Funderburg Park is located in an area of Monticello that is surrounded by a residential section which is predominantly black. It is an old, historic section of town with well-cared-for quaint homes, most with flowers adorning the front lawn.
Funderburg Park is a park for those residents…and all the black people, white people, Hispanics and others who call Monticello home. It is a park for Monticello.
Mr. Funderburg’s vision is shared by many. This is 2006, color has too long separated us. This can and should be a place that all children, all adults, and those who may not fit in either classification can come and have fun.
There is playground equipment for little children. There is a huge, grassy, all-purpose field for pick-up—and maybe even organized—games of football, baseball, softball, kickball, whatever. It would be a great place to fly a kite.
There’s a beach volleyball court. There are basketball goals. There’s a walking trail. It’s a place for families and friends to gather and play. There are two covered pavilions with picnic tables.
The people who had the vision for Funderburg Park believe that we can all live together, be one people, be neighbors who associate with one another.
It was interesting to see the people at the grand opening. Certainly there were those who wanted to be there but couldn’t. But the ones who were able to make it are worth mentioning.
Not surprisingly, the Monticello Mayor and all the current City Council members were there. County Commissioner Carl Penna-mon was there, but alas, no other commissioners made it. School Superintendent Jay Brinson attended the grand opening.
It was a pretty good day for politicians. Congressman Mac Collins, who was responsible for much of the funding of the park, was present, as was State Sen. Johnny Grant. Also the family of State Rep. Jim Cole was there, although Rep. Cole himself wasn’t able to make it. Bruce Gilbert, a candidate for state Senate was there.
Several members of the Jasper County Recreation Commission were there, even though at this time the park does not fall under their supervision.
The Funderburgs were not able to be there, but Mr. Funderburg sent remarks which were read by Bobby Norris.
There were a good number of families there. These are people who will make this park work. These are people who believe in our community and believe in giving back to the community. These are the people who realized it was important to be there…to show that we believe Monticello and Jasper County to be one community. A community not divided by race. A community not divided against itself.
It was mighty hot Saturday, and the facilities outside the shade of the pavilion weren’t being used much during the festivities. But the facilities are there. And they have been used, and will be used. Let’s show our faith in community, each of us, and go take a walk, or fly a kite, or shoot some hoops. It will be fun for all.