Friends, Family and Officials Gather to Dedicate New “Hinson Environmental Conservation Park”

By Sid Riley

Formal dedication held at noon on Saturday, May 15

It was a beautiful early summer day, a gorgeous nature setting, accented with a feeling of community spirit. The occasion was the official dedication of the new Hinson Environmental Conservation Park, which will form the southernmost component of the Chipola Greenway network which is being constructed in a joint effort involving the City of Marianna and Jackson County Parks and Recreation.

This park consists of some 150 acres which was purchased from the Hinson family by the State, and then leased to the City of Marianna for a nominal fee for the next 100 years for use as a part of the Greenway program. Grant funding was obtained for improvements to the entrance roadway and fencing.

Mayor Paul Donofro delivered the official dedication of the park, and presented Richard Hinson with a framed certificate of appreciation for his family’s role in the creation of the park and preservation of this beautiful part of nature for the enjoyment of future generations. “My family and I have always enormously enjoyed this lovely spot and the Chipola River. I commend our Marianna City Commissioners for creating the new waste water treatment plant and removing those pollutants from our wonderful River. The difference in the water of the Chipola is already apparent,” stated the elder Hinson. He also recognized the role of his wife and children in the decision to make this land an environmental park.

The dedication ceremony was coordinated with a “River Cleanup Day” effort by the County Parks and Recreation Department, which ended at the new landing and park. About 100 people assembled to take part in the formal dedication, to express their appreciation to the Hinson family, and to enjoy a free hamburger and hot dog lunch provided by the City.