Spring is right around the corner and with that comes so many exciting things around our community. I would like to start off by welcoming in many new residents who were either a part of the Indian Ford annexation, or became contiguous to the city through this process and have chosen to come in. The City of Helena offers great services to its citizens, and we are glad to serve you.

Growth for the City of Helena continues in early 2024 as the construction of our new city center gets under way, followed by a new sports complex. We all know the importance of entertainment to our quality of place here in Helena, so let’s not forget the amazing lineup for the Helena Old Town concert series that will be kicking off before you know it.  We are only a few weeks from the first show in our series and I look forward to a great crowd as Rollin in the Hay comes to town on April 20 to get us started. I hope to see all of you there.

As springtime approaches, it will be time for our ballparks and soccer fields to come back to life with Helena Youth Sports preparing to get underway for their spring season. This will draw hundreds if not thousands of people to our local parks to showcase our young athletes. As in many communities, our parks department is a great asset for our young families. With the ever-increasing amount of screen time and digital distraction, organized sports teach our youth so many valuable lessons that our society is beginning to lose.

That is why I encourage everyone to take advantage of the many walking trails and parks that our city has to offer, whether it’s sitting out by the creek, watching the kids play or taking a walk, the city has something for everyone to enjoy, and it just continues to get better. As we approach Spring Break, if you plan to stay in town, get some fresh air in one of our beautiful parks, Lee Springs, Cahaba Lilly, Joe Tucker or take a stroll down the Hillsboro Trail. I also encourage you to ride just up the road to Cahaba River Park and enjoy the beauty of the Cahaba River.

While you’re at it, I encourage everyone to shop with our local vendors, whether you are purchasing your spring wardrobe, a gift for a special occasion or just getting a meal at one of our local restaurants, Helena has many options to keep your tax dollars local.