In a significant step toward enhancing community amenities, the City of Hartselle Wednesday announced a $50,000 in grant funding for the Hartselle Park Greenspace Project. This initiative is made possible through the collaboration of The Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) and the Morgan County Legislative Delegation. 

The focal point of this development is the Hartselle Walkway, located behind the downtown pocket park on Hickory Street between Sparkman and Railroad streets. The project, fueled by the grant, aims to construct a well-lit and landscaped green space walkway connecting the park to Hickory Street. 

This walkway will enable citizens who visit the Hartselle Farmers Market to walk safely to the downtown area where they can shop, dine and spend quality family time. This will also allow shoppers downtown to walk to the market and shop as well. 

Mayor Randy Garrison emphasized the project’s impact on local businesses, noting the original thought behind the pocket park was to draw more traffic downtown.  

“We were trying to figure out a way to connect the farmers market to the pocket park,” he said.  “We hired a landscape architect to give us some ideas of what we could do, and he provided us with some drawings – some really elaborate plans and then we had to figure out how we were going to pay for it.” 

Garrison said the second phase of the project will be continuing across Hickory Street toward the Hartselle Farmers Market.  

“Downtown is always important, and this is just a way to extend downtown,” he added.  

Sen. Arthur Orr, expressing enthusiasm for the project and excitement for Hartselle’s growth, stated, ” It’s gratifying to see this project finally close this phase knowing we will soon move to the next. 

 “I think your growth is going to start taking off and we – representatives Stadthagen and Moore – are ready to get shoulder to shoulder with you to do what we need to do. Thankfully we have the RC&D along with their support and programs,” Orr said. ““We are entrusted with this community and this county, and we’ve got to make it happen.”  

AMRV RC&D executive director Renona Seibert said her organization is appreciative of both its partnership with City of Hartselle as well as the support from the legislature.  

“Something as simple as pet waste stations at Sparkman Park to lights at the football field, the farmers market and this greenspace project – it’s just amazing this partnership we have,” she said. 

The funding, facilitated by AMRV RC&D, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports educational and community development projects across North Central Alabama, including Cullman, Morgan, Madison, Limestone, Marshall, Jackson and DeKalb counties.