Jacksonville, AL –The Calhoun County Commissioners each have a specific district they represent. District 5 has been represented at present by Lee Patterson. The district stretches from the southern part of Jacksonville, Pleasant Valley, and Piedmont until the county lines. Commissioner Patterson thinks Ladiga Landing to be one of the crown jewels in his district. He is delighted to expand Ladiga Landing as a location.
Each commissioner receives an allotment of discretionary funds which can be used for certain projects. Commissioner Patterson has decided to support to support the Chief Ladiga Landing in Jacksonville as one of his projects. The commissioner wanted to make clear that the park is as a park for the county, however it is the responsibility of city officials that Jacksonville helps in maintaining the park. There is a spur in the park that allows accessibility to trails.
Chief Ladiga Landing Chief Ladiga Landing has several important highlights. It is home to two pavilions as well as rockwork on each of the corners. Brown Bridge was relocated from Rabbit Town and placed at the park, too. Additionally, an arbor is being built that will be adorned with native honeysuckle along it, in addition to increasing the length of over the cables of the bridge. The only native plants were planted in the park to make sustainability more efficient and economical. In the beginning of the project, the Jacksonville Industrial Board gifted one acres so that it could be used for the Landing could be built at the location it is now. Calhoun County Water authority also donated 1/10 of the acre that is home to older growing Oak trees.
Jacksonville City Council members Tony Taylor and Andy Green have both been explicit about their good working relationship they have with Commissioner Patterson and the County Commission as a whole. In a previous article in The Calhoun Journal Andy Green stated, “Government entities work together each day to make a collective efforts to make our locations the best they could be. There are many instances of first responder agencies collaborating by signing mutual aid agreements when there’s an emergency and there is a need to support equipment and personnel. In my capacity as a City Councilor I will continue to strive for the best relationships with our sister councils and that of the Calhoun County Commission, and our State delegation. Opportunities and challenges aren’t always determined by geopolitical borders. This is why it’s essential that we collaborate as interdependent, elected and appointed individuals, to be a service to all.” In the same article, Councilman Taylor stated that he had been acquainted with Lee Patterson for many years personally, as well as in his elected position. They have always had an excellent working relationship as well. Chief Ladiga Landing is the biggest project they have collaborated on. Councilman Taylor declared that, even though this park technically is a county park it’s also a fantastic central location for Jacksonville and, in fact, the entry point to Jacksonville.
Recently, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were earmarked to improve the park. It was the Jacksonville Industrial Development Board (IDB) granted the commission two-thirds of an acre of land to construct an upper parking area. This ARPA funding will help for the construction of the parking lot as well as an ADA bathroom that is ADA-compliant.
Commissioner Patterson has also spoken about the necessity of this park in order to be able to hold buses. He believes that this park could be an opportunity for students from Calhoun County to visit and discover native plants. There will be plaques identifying the plants. The commissioner also wants to thank Jamie “Red” Etheredge for the land proposal in the IDB. Commissioner Patterson considers the park an unassuming gift that he could contribute to making available to those who live in Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville and the entire county. When he visits his park, says it brings him great joy to look at what can be achieved.
