First Baptist Church’s youth group recently undertook a wonderful community project to benefit the children of Safe Harbor.

Six members of the group created a special &uot;mini-park&uot; on the lot across from the Safe Harbor center last Friday. The park contains a picnic table, a garden area and a birdbath.

&uot;We contacted Children’s Advocacy Center Director Kathy Smith, and she suggested the park for our project,&uot; said FBC Youth and Children’s Director Margie Kennedy. &uot;She thought a mini-park would really make the children at the center smile, and it’s something they really could enjoy.&uot;

Kennedy said the group has had the project in mind for several months, but has been delayed in undertaking it because of the excessive rain.

The group leader said the items for the park came from several different sources.

&uot;Hot Waxx owners, Johnny and Shirley Lee, donated the land behind their shop for the park,&uot; Kennedy said. &uot;The picnic table was purchased with funds donated by FBC’s Vacation Bible School program attendees.&uot;

Smith contributed the plants and asked city horticulturist Jennifer Stringer for her help with the planting.

Other items for the park include a birdbath and wall plaques that were purchased at a discount from Betty’s Past and Present.

&uot;Jennifer was a big help,&uot; Smith said. &uot;I don’t have any green on my thumb at all.&uot;

Youth group participants were Ralph Norman, Aaron Miller, Alice Norman, Logan Ausderau, Graham Simmons, Mallory Lee and Steven Lee.

Summer youth and children’s group worker Ryan Landwehr assisted with the plantings, which included impatiens, azaleas, hostas and redbud trees.

Kennedy said the group also had intended to paint a mural on the wall behind the mini-park, but have had to shelve those plans until the rains subside.