Out in the Fresh Air

A celebration was had Friday afternoon in Bardin during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize the additions to a park with deep ties to the community.

Putnam County and Florida Power & Light officials joined Bardin residents for the ceremonial unveiling of a new play area at Etoniah Community Park, 620 Bardin Road in Palatka.

County Commissioner Leota Wilkinson, who lives in Bardin, was overjoyed to add to the park. The new swing set and play area have been attracting more people than usual ever since they were installed and approved for use about three months ago, she said.

“Since this has been put up, we have seen a big increase in people at this park,” Wilkinson said. “A swing set allows a multitude of age groups. (This is) just a great partnership with FPL.”

The county, which oversees the park, and the utility company split the estimated $16,000 cost of the renovation. Wilkinson said the county received a $7,500 grant from FPL to contribute to the cost.

Carol Saviak, FPL’s external affairs manager, attended the ribbon cutting, where she spoke of the importance of giving back.

Offering the grant made perfect sense for FPL given its longstanding ties to the community, Saviak said.

“As a community partner, We’re happy to reinvest in the community,” she said. “It’s important to give back to the community we serve.”

One of the youngest members of the community took advantage of the new swings. With the help of her grandmother, Lyndie Wilkinson, 4, carried out the most important task of the day: cutting the ribbon.

The commissioner detailed the park’s significance to Bardin residents. Not only did members of the community install equipment at Etoniah and maintain the park before the county eventually took it over, she said, but people and businesses in the area would frequently have fundraisers to maintain the facility.

“It was originally built by the community,” the commissioner said. “It was just property (before that). They would put money in a jar at the local stores; (they) had barbecue fundraisers.”

In addition to the newest equipment, the park features soccer goals, a jungle gym, a basketball court and more.

Kevin Stevens, the senior division manager for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, said Commissioner Wilkinson approached him in January 2023 about adding new equipment at the park.

After the two decided on the swing set and play area, they reached out to their vendor, he said. Unfortunately, Stevens said, it took about eight months to get the equipment because of inflation and supply chain scarcity.

Rather than lament the months-long delay, Stevens applauded the commissioner for taking the initiative to beautify the park.

“This is completely thanks to Commissioner Leota Wilkinson seeing a need for this and seeking out a private-public partnership,” Stevens said.

The commissioner hopes the park renovation will continue to get people outdoors to enjoy the recreational opportunities the facility offers.

Etoniah Community Park is a great way to get people of all ages to have fun outside and ditch the stress that can come with constant screen use, she said.

“I just want to see people come out,” Commissioner Wilkinson said. “Just because people live in the country, that does not mean they have a place (at home) to play.”