Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The City of Prattville, in partnership with the Autauga County Heritage Association, unveiled plans for a new park within the current Daniel Pratt Cemetery during the Founders Day ceremony last Friday.
Vista Pointe Park will overlook The Mill and Spillway Park located in downtown Prattville. The park will sit roughly on eight acres of land, Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie confirmed.
“I think it will be a big asset to the city as far as tourism and promoting our history,” Gillespie said.
The land was donated to the City of Prattville through Harvey Clark and the Prattville Land Company, which previously owned the Pratt Cemetery and surrounding areas.
As part of the agreement, the bigger trees will stay intact within the park, unless they are deemed unsafe, Gillespie noted.
“We want to protect Daniel Pratt Cemetery, but we also want to enhance and build some of our tourism and promote some of the history of Prattville. But, we need to do this as safely as possible,” Gillespie said.
The park is projected to have an overlook deck looking towards the historic fountain city. It will also include a parking lot, bathrooms, additional walking trails and even an ADA compliant parking lot and walkway to enjoy the beautiful view.
Gillespie stated that it’s a tough decision to either lock down an important site or open it up. Gillespie confirmed that this particular site had been locked down for years. Now, it will be open to the public. However, Gillespie confirmed that it may not be open on a day-to-day basis, and more details on the operating hours of the park are still being decided.
Pratt Cemetery will reside next to the overlook deck. Historical leaders such as Daniel Pratt, and other influential individuals to the history of Prattville have been laid to rest within the Pratt Cemetery.
Gillespie stated that he has come up to the Pratt Cemetery with his grandkids, and loved the peace and serenity the historical site. It is truly a beautiful view from the park that overlooks Prattville.
“I’m very proud and pleased with the number of folks that I see every day bicycling, walking and jogging in the downtown area, and I think this area will become even more popular when we bring in this new park,” Gillespie said.
