Tucked away off the busiest highway in Hinesville is a 156-acre park that is managed by the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority.

The intent of Bryant Commons is to provide a passive recreational area for Liberty County residents.

In addition to the large amount of green space, the park has a 1-mile walking track, public restrooms, an amphitheater and the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association Museum. It is open from dawn to dusk, rain or shine, and anyone is welcome.

HDDA Director Michelle Ricketson thinks Bryant Commons can serve Liberty County in many ways, but a many people do not know it even exists.

“The land was donated to the city after Georgia State Sen. Glenn E. Bryant passed and is located behind his old home,” Ricketson said. “However, the entrance sign on the fence is hard to notice, so some people do not even know that there is this park downtown.”

The Bryant Family Foundation and the city of Hinesville partnered to create Bryant Commons, which formally opened in March 2015. Since then, the park has hosted a number of community events, including the Small World Festival, Easter Egg Roll, Citywide Yard Sale and Veterans Salute. Because of the success of these events, the city plans to host these events at the Bryant Commons annually.

The Small World Festival, which was the biggest event held at Bryant Commons thus far, began years ago at a local elementary school. The festival recognizes the various cultures that the military brings to the region. In March, the second year the festival was held in the park, more than 3,000 people attended. That was m double the number who attended in 2015, in conjunction with the opening of Bryant Commons.

“All we wanted was to celebrate the 38 different cultures that the military brought to Liberty County,” Ricketson said. “We didn’t realize how big the event would be.”

Bryant Commons is also available to rent to the public for personal events and weddings. The amphitheater can accommodate up to 1,500 people, and there is an outside venue with views of nearly the entire park. There are catch-and-release fishing ponds, and dogs on leashes are permitted.

Currently the park is undergoing some construction to add new features. Ground was broken in November on Veterans Memorial Walk, which salute the military. All branches will be represented within the memorial, and people are welcome to purchase pavers engraving names or personal messages through the walkways on the site. The Georgia granite pavers can include text of up to 22 characters.

Cisco’s Dog Park will be the home of a fenced-in space for dogs to socialize and play. However, the HDDA is still in need of fencing, water and waste stations, obstacles and trees for shade. There are sponsorships available, and any donor will be recognized with engraved aluminum bones displayed on the fence.

“Veterans Memorial Walk and Cisco’s Dog Park are two projects that we are constructing within Bryant Commons,” Ricketson said. “As we appreciate the donations, there are also things needed for the park as a whole that would make it more user-friendly and visually appealing.”

Although there are many park amenities, Bryant Commons lacks outdoor park furniture. The HDDA is hosting a Park Sponsor Program to raise funds for a series of coordinated pieces. Items include benches, picnic tables, bike racks and waste receptacles. Each piece will display a 1-inch-by-3-inch engraved plaque of inscriptions by donors.

The park is a continuing work of progress, but gives the community a central place for exercise, recreation and relaxation. Fishing ponds, an amphitheater and walking trails are a few of the available amenities to the public. However, some may believe the peaceful scenery alone is worth visiting Bryant Commons.

“Bryant Commons is one of the top beautiful places in Liberty County, but words alone can’t explain what you will see if you visit this park,” Ricketson said.

For more information on the Bryant Commons, contact the HDDA or go to hinesvilledowntown.com/bryant_commons.aspx.