Nearly 1,800 residents have now signed a petition calling on Augusta Recreation and Parks to make improvements at Diamond Lakes Regional Park.
Frank Howard, who led the signature drive, said he got the idea attending his grandson’s football games. Conditions were “pitch black dark,” and it started Howard making a list of what was needed to make the park safer and more accessible, he said.
The “Phalonda Yvette Howard Project” is named for his daughter, who was the 17th Augusta homicide victim of 1992. Howard, a former Augusta Police officer, said all 1,773 people who signed the petition support the requested upgrades. They include:
- Gates open at 4:30 a.m.
- Sidewalks through the park
- More ballfield lights
- More street lights
- Benches along trails
- More covered areas
- Surveillance cameras
- Speed bumps
Some 55 pages of signatures on the petition go before the Augusta Commission’s Administrative Services committee Tuesday. Other items going before commission committees Tuesday include:
- Mayor Garnett Johnson’s proposal to reestablish the city’s Public Works department by reconnecting grounds, facilities, parks and other maintenance functions moved to other departments during prior restructurings.
- A discussion of Augusta’s Historic Preservation Ordinance allowing a direct appeal to the Augusta Commission and whether to require post-demolition plans.
- Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice’s request to hire a professional arborist to advise the city about protecting its tree canopy
- A discussion requested by Rice of curbside recycling, which the city discontinued some time ago.
- Approval of changes to Augusta’s animal control ordinance involving stray holds, nuisance cats, dangerous dogs and the animal advisory board.
- Approving new superior court judge salary, benefit and supplement amounts effective under House Bill 85
The commission also has a 11 a.m. called meeting. Listed agenda items include approving an audit of the Housing and Community Development department and Hurricane Helene private property debris removal.
