The Town of Vincent and the Shelby County Commission recently celebrated the dedication of Gorman Park on the Coosa.

The Vincent

park includes a boat launch, fishing pier, picnic pavilion, restroom facilities and a delineated nature trail in the teacup area available at times of normal water levels.

A cottage for a caretaker is another planned addition to the park, according to county officials.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Joe Thompson welcomed everyone represented at the ribbon cutting ceremony held on May 12, &uot;espcially the county which worked with us to build this recreational facility.&uot;

County Manager Alex Dudchock said the park came about

when former Mayor Alpha Lowe (1968-1975 and 1996-2000) wanted to show a county official needed road projects. He added that the road problems were also resolved.

Dudchock said the walking trail features some of the largest crawfish in the county. And he said from the fishing pier he has seen schools of shad.

Dudchock said Gorman is one of 15 parks the county has constructed over the past seven years for an average of a little over two parks per year.

He announced that Boothon will be the site of the county’s third water park, which will be located on the Cahaba River. At present water parks include Beeswax Creek on Lay Lake

and Gorman Park on the Coosa.

County Commissioner Dan Acker said, &uot;We are proud we can be a part of the Vincent Community.&uot;

He also said parks have been the best public relations tools for the county and are being well used by the public.

County Commissioner Joel Bearden said of Gorman Park, &uot;This is truly an example of what cooperation can get you.&uot; He said the county will continue to look for other places to build parks, as well.

Bearden also said the county is

looking to build a cottage at Gorman Park to maintain a permanent presence there.

Dudchock said

the county is considering a 1,200 square-foot cottage for a caretaker because the park has the potential for after hours use. To date, he said $145,000 has been invested in the park of which $105,000 came from the county and $40,000 from the city of Vincent.

He said the county’s expense included the road and inside the park. He said the cottage will cost an additional $50,000 at county expense.

Some 14.3 acres of land for Gorman Park on the Coosa was donated by Clarence Alfred and Dorothy Beavin Gorman on Nov. 15, 1983.

Members of the Shelby County Commission who played a part in the creation of the park included: County Commissioners Dan Acker, Lindsey Allison, Don Armstrong, Jimmy Bice, Ted Crockett, George Dailey, Larry Dillard, Billy Thompson and Joel Bearden and County Manager Alex Dudchock.

Members of the Vincent Town Council who played a part included Mayor Joe A. Thompson and Councilmembers Robert E. Kidd, Vivian H. Denty, Mark L. Brown, Rex R. Smiley and Paul Sumners.

The park was funded and built through the joint efforts of Shelby County and the city of Vincent for the use and enjoyment of the public