More than just a park: Cliffview Park adds to revitalization in South Macon

A spark of new life has been brought to South Macon, and although some would say it's "just a park", people at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, October 31, would say it's more than that.

"We need a park, because parks are transformational. It's not only transformational to the architect and landscaper, but to neighborhoods," said Mayor Lester Miller. "Neighborhoods are what make up our community."

The property for the park, was purchased by the City of Macon in 2005, under Mayor C. Jack Ellis' administration, with a vision for a park some day. That day is now.

"It's beautiful," said Mayor Ellis as he walked the new trails, looking at the transformation in the neighborhood.

The park located at 606 Cliffview Drive, now has a pavilion with picnic tables, steps leading to new trails, fishing pier, and boat docks. It was funded by voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

"The design of the park centered around the natural beauty that you can all see," said Landscape Architect Laurie Fickling. "We really wanted to open it up with trails in the wooded areas, access to the pond for fishing. Keeping the design really simple and just enhancing what was already here."

In January 2023, our crews removed a blighted house from the place where the new pavilion now sits overlooking the pond. Cliffview Drive was resurfaced and cleaned up, bringing new hope to this area.

"We knew that we really had a gem in this property," said Director of Planning and Public Spaces and Urban Development Authority Executive Director Alex Morrison. "This could be something that turns the tide for a neighborhood that had been crying out for assistance for a long time…The Houston Avenue neighborhood is a place that can be vibrant again."

First Choice Primary Care - thanks to investments from Macon-Bibb's American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, the Peyton Anderson Foundation, and more - is opening a healthcare facility and pharmacy nearby to better serve families in the area. Also with ARP funds and match from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, Habitat for Humanity was able to take empty lots that once held blighted houses in Lynmore Estates, build new homes, and help families become strong homeowners. The mortgage payments from those homes will create a revolving fund that would help build new homes for many years to come.

Last year, Macon-Bibb opened the new Frankie E. Lewis Park which includes a playground, pavilion, trail, and basketball courts…and replaces several blighted structures that were there previously. It was also funded by the SPLOST.

"We must be purposeful and intentional about strengthening our neighborhoods, and I'm proud of the work being done here along Houston Avenue to remove the blight and begin building it all back up," said Mayor Miller.