Work on renovating one of Liberty County’s parks is continuing, and a ribbon cutting for the completely redone facility could be held in April.
County commissioners approved a contract last year with RL Construction for a renovation of what is now called Susie King Taylor Park, which is on the Isle of Wight. A list of improvements is underway at the park, including a walking path encompassing the park, a raised platform walking trail, a new fishing pier and kayak launch and a pavilion.
“Susie King Taylor Park is looking really, really good,” county engineer Trent Long told commissioners.
Rain has delayed work and Long said the contractor is working on getting power to the well in order to provide water to the site. Lighting and landscaping of the facility also are not yet completed.
“We’re hoping to have all that done in April so we can have some events out there,” Long said.
Now called Susie King Taylor Park, in honor of the young woman who escaped slavery not far from where the park is and remains the only Black woman to have her memoir of the Civil War published. The Liberty County Historical Society donated $5,000 in June 2025 to go toward park renovations. Commissioners voted to change the park’s name from Jones Creek to honor Taylor in July 2025.
Long also updated commissioners on other projects across the county, including the repair and resurfacing of Sunshine Lake Road. A pre-construction conference has been held with the contractor, J.W. Oliver Construction, which had a bid of just under $391,000. The project includes deep patching and asphalt overlay of more than 3,150 feet of road.
The layout and design for a roundabout to replace the intersection of Highway 119 and Barrington Ferry Road have been proceeding, and all field work has been done.
Paving of the dirt Butter Blount Road also is on tap, and letters to property owners along the road requesting right-of-way access have been sent. Survey work is completed, and design and construction plans are nearing completion.
“We’re making decent progress,” Long said.
Construction of the water line along Pecan Lane has been finished and a pressure test has been conducted, Long added. The county received only one bid for repairs to Freedman Grove Road, and Long said they will take another look at the project in order to get a better price estimate.
Commissioners also are taking a look at how to fund road improvements along Live Oak Drive. The project calls for curb and gutter and sidewalks to be installed, along with drainage improvements. The county received a lowest bid of $2.43 million from JW Oliver Construction.
“There are a lot of concerns about drainage and about pedestrians and sidewalks,” said Commissioner Justin Frasier.
To make the drainage plans work, Long said, he has to adjust the water lines, which belong to the City of Hinesville.