Paige-Liberty Park was re-dedicated during a ceremony Saturday afternoon during Fayette’s 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration.

Originally named Liberty Park, the City of Fayette in 1998 dedicated the park to the African American community and re-named it in memory of Robert E. Paige who was killed in Vietnam in 1967.

The park has seen significant improvements over the last year. In April, volunteers performed a major cleanup of the park. On April 9, the Citizens Ad Hoc Committee for Paige-Liberty Park were surprised when the group received $50,000 from the Veterans United Foundation to purchase new playground equipment and make other upgrades at the park. Most of the new equipment was installed last week.

Other upgrades include new bathrooms, landscaping and mulch upgrades, and new grills. Plans are also underway to improve the shelter houses, and the city hopes to install new LED lights in place of the old ball field lights.

During the re-dedication, Tim Jackman, one of the principal Juneteenth organizers, announced that a new water fountain would be installed and dedicated to retired physician Dr. Hope Tinker.

“You’ve restored life in this park,” Jackman said to Dr. Tinker. “We can’t say enough about how much we appreciate your support, your love, your dedication, your commitment.”

Additional photos on page 5 of the print edition.