The Georgia White Walking Park has seen an exciting update recently. The City of West Plains Electric Department installed 17 decorative LED lights for the walking track and 4 regular LED lights for the parking lot.
This project has been in the works for quite some time and was a welcomed sight by many, especially those who enjoy walking in the evening or early morning hours without full daylight.
Makiah Willard Long enjoys walks at the park and stated the park holds a special place in her heart because Georgia White was her grandmother.
“I have always enjoyed walking at the park. I was so excited to see the new lights come in because I walk there every night after dark. The new lights make it so much more welcoming and beautifies the park. They will be very beneficial as the days get shorter this fall,” Makiah stated.
Makiah stated her grandparents had a big white house on Missouri Avenue. After her grandfather died in 1968, her grandmother, Georgia White, started a boarding home and successfully ran it in her home for many years taking care of elderly people. She stated she was a hard worker who had a large family of ten children, five girls and five boys. In 1988 White was diagnosed with cancer and had to close her boarding home. In 1989 she took part of her land behind her home and donated it the City to make a walking park. Unfortunately, White never had the chance to use it and she passed away from cancer in 1990. The park was dedicated in 1990 and the “Georgia White Walking Park” sign states Walk for Your Life.
