LEXINGTON, S.C. — On Friday, local leaders gathered to show off the Town of Lexington's newly expanded Virginia Hylton Park.
"We know summer’s coming up, and the kids are going to be out of school and the parents are needing this park to be open, so the town staff all sat together around a table and we said hey, what if we give an extra push and help and get this back open a little earlier than we had expected," Hazel Livingston, Lexington mayor said.
Several people have been working behind the scenes to make this park's opening possible.
Everyone had a job Friday to put the finishing touches on the green space. Nelson Carmona, a staff member with the town of Lexington, has been working at his job "since 7 o'clock (this morning)," Carmona said.
Late Friday morning, he was helping lay pine straw, a material that will beautify the park and help with erosion. Carmona said it's all in the detail. He's part of the team that's making the park pristine before it opens.
"Pieces of branches that fall in the mulch pile, we have to pick 'em up," Carmona said.
Town officials said the renovation includes a new entrance, playground sets, walking trails, and a performance pavilion. The park now has an additional 8.25 acres, which the town explains doubles its size. Local leaders add that this park hasn't had a major upgrade since 1991 and that with these renovations, it can now meet the needs of Lexington's growing population.
"I always say God's not making more green space, so it's very important that we preserve some as we go along," Livingston said.
The team making this park pretty also includes Jacob Edwards. He's the son of the town's transportation director, who was able to help out the team this afternoon.
"I'm just out here to help," Edwards said. "So now you've got to bring everybody out here … you can accomplish many things at one time."
The town tells said it's been a big team effort the past three or so weeks to make this historic park a place for everyone.
"Green space and parks and areas like this bring the community together and it's important for people to feel like neighbors," Livingston said.
The park will open at 9 a.m. Saturday.