Community partnerships bring new life to Worthington Memorial Park
Serving the community extends far beyond providing safe, reliable electricity for Jackson Energy. That commitment was recently demonstrated through the revitalization of Worthington Memorial Park in Annville, where more than 60 employees and volunteers donated over 400 hours of service to transform a treasured Jackson County gathering place.
As part of Jackson Energy’s participation in the Beautify the Bluegrass initiative, local organizations united to improve the park through volunteerism, shared resources and community partnerships. The project reflects the power of collaboration in creating cleaner, safer and more welcoming public spaces that will benefit residents and visitors for years to come. Beautify the Bluegrass is an annual partnership between Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, Kentucky Living magazine and the governor’s office that recognizes efforts to beautify our state.
Community partners included Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, PraXel Line Services, Jackson County Development Association, Jackson County Kiwanis Club, Jackson County Community Foundation, Jackson County Correctional Facility, Gray Hawk Building Supply, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and ProtecTerra Vegetation Management.
The revitalization was completed during two community workdays. On the first workday, volunteers spread fresh mulch throughout the playground, installed a new sidewalk, erected the park’s official entrance sign, repaired playground equipment and gave the ballpark a fresh coat of paint.
During the second workday, crews painted the park restrooms, installed new restroom stall doors, added a handicap-accessible swing to provide more inclusive play opportunities and installed support poles for a future overhead shelter that will provide shade over the bleachers.
“This project is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when organizations unite behind a common purpose,” says Ryan Henderson, president and CEO of Jackson Energy. “By combining our resources, time and talents, we’re creating a place where families can gather, children can play and neighbors can connect. It’s an investment not only in this park, but in the future of our communities.”
The combined efforts of these organizations and volunteers have created lasting improvements that will serve our community for generations.
Additional enhancements are planned as the partnership continues building on the success of the project.
