The town of River Falls is “so close” to being done with its new park at town hall, but the public’s help is needed.

Mayor Pro Tem Mattie Freeney said the park has been in the making since the late 1990s and just needs tables and benches and for the walking trail to be marked.

“Our next step is the walking trail,” she said. “Plans are for it to encircle all of the town hall property. It will be similar to Robinson Park in Andalusia.

Freeney said they are working on a small $5,199 budget from a Wiregrass RC&D grant, which covered the pavilion.

Right now, Freeney said she needs donations from the community to get the new tables and benches.

“I would love donations,” she said. “The council has allowed for a limited budget for the park – around $5,000. I’m searching for someone who will build the benches and tables.”

Freeney’s vision for the park is for it to be a place to improve the quality of life for River Falls residents.

“We want it to be a place where the townspeople can gather and build better relationships,” she said. “It’s going to be a place to hang out and have town picnics and festivals.”

In fact, a town picnic is the first thing Freeney wants to host at the park.

“Hopefully, the first thing we will be able to do is have a town picnic,” she said. “Everyone can bring a dish, and we’ll have a good, old-fashioned ‘Little House on the Praire’ town social.”

Freeney said she also hopes to use the park for an Easter sunrise service and possibly a Fourth of July get-to-gether.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can do so at River Falls Town Hall.

For questions, call Freeney at 222-6053.