City Cuts Ribbon on $2.5 Million Upgrades to West Tuscaloosa Park

Another public park in Tuscaloosa has gotten major upgrades which are now complete and ready to be enjoyed by residents of the West End.

Mayor Walt Maddox, Councilman Matthew Wilson, Councilwoman Raevan Howard and other local leaders were at Burrell Odom Park to cut a ceremonial ribbon and celebrate more than $2.5 million in fresh additions there.

The Park, located at 3230 8th Street, is named for the late Tuscaloosa City Councilman of the same name. Odom died suddenly in 2014 while he was still the city's representative in West Tuscaloosa's District 1, and his widow, Phyllis Odom, served out the rest of that term.

The city renamed West End Park in his name.

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"Dreams do come true. Ten years ago, this park was renamed Burrell Odom Park from West End Park and what we saw ten years ago we don't see today," Councilman Wilson said. "We're grateful and thankful to Mr. Robert Amason and Amason & Associates for their timely work and detail to make sure that the people of the West End community will have a park to call their own and I'm proud of it.”

On Wednesday, the city cut the ribbon on upgrades funded by Mayor Walt Maddox's Elevate Tuscaloosa sales tax plan, including lighting and security features, a new basketball court, a walking track, two playgrounds, renovated restrooms and shaded seating areas.

"We're in a time and space where it does feel like opposing forces are keeping anything from getting done, but not here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,” Maddox said in a press release. “To think 573 days ago we walked around this park and today we're cutting the ribbon on something that I believe is built to serve generations that come through this community."

Phyllis Odom was on site to cut the ribbon herself.

"I'm so thankful for all of you to come out and share in this occasion," she said. "My husband is shining down today, thank you so much."

For more coverage of news about Elevate projects and other developments across West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.