All are welcome to attend Thursday, Jan. 26, at 3:30 p.m. when city leaders officially cut the ribbon on playground upgrades including a shade structure and synthetic turf outside the Alonzo "Babe" James Community Center at 201 N. Myrtle Ave.

In addition to giving this community space a fun, new look, the shade structure protects children at play against harmful ultraviolet rays and will cool temperatures by up to 25 degrees during hot summer months. The turf installation provides a natural look and soft, compliant feel while being easier to maintain than loose-fill mulch.

The new amenities represent a continuing investment in the city's Historic Westside neighborhood, which has also recently received a splash pad at "Babe" James; a playground, skate bowl, and pickleball & basketball courts on Pettis Park; a paved parking lot on Jefferson Street across from the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum; streetscape improvements along Dunn Street; and affordable housing duplexes on the 200 block of Dimmick Street. Upcoming projects include a $23 million, 80-unit senior affordable housing project named Greenlawn Manor at 911 Oleander St., slated to be completed this summer, and development of a $1.5 million stormwater master plan, currently underway.

Following an introduction by Community Resources Coordinator Irma Terry and opening prayer by Pastor Marlene Lucas of Emmanuel New Smyrna Church of God, Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board Member Mildred White and Mayor Fred Cleveland will deliver brief remarks before cutting the ribbon with local children in attendance and inviting them to start enjoying the new playground with New Smyrna Beach Fire Department mascot Sparky the Dalmatian.

Would you like to know more? Please contact Leisure Services at 386-410-2890.