St. Matthews Episcopal Church will build a covered stage and covered picnic area in Jason Niles Park following unanimous approval from the Kosciusko Board of Aldermen last week.
Jimmy Atwood, representing the church, characterized the construction as an outreach project for the community.
Mayor Jimmy Cockroft said the plan is the culmination of efforts that the church has had underway for some time.
“They want to give back,” said Cockroft of the St. Matthews congregation. “They’ve been talking about doing this for a very long time.”
Cockroft said city and church officials went to the Mississippi State School of Landscape Architecture about a year ago to develop plans for the project. He said there were several options, but this plan required the least amount of land work prior to construction. The city will be responsible for setting the cement pads upon which the two structures will be erected by the church.
Only the covered stage, which will be located to the east of the current splash pad, will have electricity run to it, but the electricity will only be turned on for planned events.
The covered picnic area will sit directly across the street from the church, located at 317 St. Matthews St.
