Construction underway: Gore Park to reopen in 2023 as Callaway rebuilds from Hurricane Michael

Ebonee Burrell, The News Herald
·2 min read
John B. Gore Park is on its way to being rebuilt after Hurricane Michael's devastation. The park is scheduled to reopen next summer.
John B. Gore Park is on its way to being rebuilt after Hurricane Michael's devastation. The park is scheduled to reopen next summer.

CALLAWAY — Construction is underway to rebuild a Callaway park after it suffered Hurricane Michael's devastating blow.

John B. Gore Park, or Gore Park, is on its way to being revamped with new and refreshed amenities. The park sits on 11 acres on the Callaway Bayou at 530 Beulah Ave.. Once open, it will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

It's scheduled to reopen next summer.

Gore Park features amenities such as the Ellie Fox Memorial Museum, Historical One Room School House and the Callaway Community Center.
Gore Park features amenities such as the Ellie Fox Memorial Museum, Historical One Room School House and the Callaway Community Center.

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Callaway city officials awarded roughly $5 million to two companies for site and construction work to begin on the property last spring. Callaway City Manager Ed Cook said it would be the last major FEMA-funded project for the city.

"The city was already in the process of redesigning this park before the storm," Cook said. "But the storm destroyed everything, so we submitted new plans with up-to-date changes rather than rebuilding it back to how it looked before."

Cook said the project would involve two phases: a horizontal phase that will level the park grounds to prepare for building and a vertical phase that will include the above-ground features.

Gore Park is a historic marker within the city and home to the Callaway Community Center, Historic One Room Schoolhouse and Ellie Fox Memorial Museum. The community center, which overlooks the Callaway Bayou, will be available to rent and offers a covered patio and kitchen.

The park features amenities that include the Historical One Room School House.
The park features amenities that include the Historical One Room School House.

The park will also have several sports fields, including a basketball court, football and soccer field, tennis court and a baseball and softball field.

Cook said park features include several amenities with new equipment, such as a playground, picnic tables, concession stand and pavilions.

The rebuilding of John B. Gore park involves two phases: a horizontal phase that will level the park grounds to prepare for building and a vertical phase that will include the above-ground features.
The rebuilding of John B. Gore park involves two phases: a horizontal phase that will level the park grounds to prepare for building and a vertical phase that will include the above-ground features.

"It will be beautiful once we're done," he said. "We're also putting in additional parking to accommodate our visitors."

This is just the latest of the city's park developments, Cook said, and developers have already replaced the playground equipment at four of its six parks. Brittany Woods Park was the latest to get new features and plans are in the works to add a dog park and walking track within the next six months.

"Parks are a big part of local life. We are still growing, and one of our goals is to give all parts of the city a nearby park to cater to our residents," Cook said. "Callaway is at a point where it's becoming a community hub, and we can't wait for that moment."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Callaway's Gore Park under construction after Hurricane Michael