REDDICK, FL (352today.com) – It was the vision of two men, to see a park that would function as a community hub, where neighbors would gather, and be able to commune with nature, and now it has become a reality at the site on NW Gainesville Road.

Former Town of Reddick Mayor Jim Stroup and longtime Reddick City Councilman Steve Rogers, each serving more than three decades, had a dream to see a place where people could go to enjoy the community, one with a deep and rich history.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Sept. 24, ringing in a new era in Reddick, one that will enjoyed by future generations, with the dedication of Reddick Park, one that features a bathroom and playground. The park was built on the site of where a Marion County Sheriff’s Office substation had been previously located.

“While we hire the best contractors to do our projects, our amazing team, the Parks and Recreation Staff, there’s a special person here today that deserves the ‘Attaboy Award,’ and that’s our amazing parks designer Joey Amodo,” said Jim Couillard, Marion County Parks and Recreation director and landscape architect. “Joey was the lead on this project. He took the reins after we worked out all the agreements, the numbers, the budgets and all the fun stuff that we have to do, before we throw dirt up the air.”

It was Amodo who managed the contractors, coordinated the team to execute and was also responsible for the design of the park as well as playing a critical role in getting all the permits to make the park become a reality, said Couillard.

‘The park is in a neighborhood where people are going to come out and enjoy it,” said Michelle Stone, Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Commissioner Dist. no. 5.