Starkville Parks Make a Splash with Economic Growth
STARKVILLE — Things are looking bright for Starkville this year, especially for the Starkville Parks and Recreation Department. After the grand opening of Cornerstone Park just a year ago, there’s been a significant boost in both community engagement and local economy. This past Friday morning, during a board of alderman work session, Interim General Manager Doug Heflin and Cole Lacey, the Vice President of Venue Management for Sports Facilities Companies, shared some exciting updates on how the parks are performing and what the future holds.
Impressive Economic Impact
In the past fiscal year, Starkville’s parks department made quite an impression, achieving an estimated economic impact of over $12 million. A staggering $9.3 million of that came from Cornerstone Park alone! This bustling baseball/softball complex hosted 21 events, bringing in more than 29,000 visitors. It’s noteworthy that nearly 50% of these visitors traveled from more than 40 miles away, a testament to the park’s vibrant appeal beyond just local residents.
Lacey enthusiastically stated, “This is more proof of what Cornerstone was built for and what it’s doing,” highlighting how the complex is fulfilling its mission of boosting tourism and community engagement through sports.
Goals for Growth in 2024-2025
Looking ahead, the parks department has set an ambitious goal to increase its overall economic impact to $15 million for the upcoming fiscal year. To reach this target, they aim to ramp up participation in various park programs, facility rentals, and tourism events, all while staying true to their vision of being more than just a traditional parks and recreation department.
Heflin explained that there are plans to introduce new programs while also reviving some cherished non-sport activities that had been on hold due to the pandemic. In just two years, youth program participation has skyrocketed to 2,458 participants, marking a stunning 102% increase. Activities like soccer, kickball, and flag football are thriving, although adult program participation saw a slight dip, mainly due to basketball scheduling changes.
Facilities and Rentals: Room for Improvement
The department also has plans to boost facility rentals, targeting each facility to be rented at least 25 times this year. Last year, they recorded only 241 rentals — with the vast majority coming from the Travis Outlaw Center. With the upcoming opening of the Needmore Community Center and the rollout of new birthday party packages, Heflin believes rentals will see a noticeable increase.
Pool Popularity Soars
One shining star in the parks department’s lineup has been the Moncrief Pool, which experienced a remarkable 72% increase in entries — jumping from 2,135 entries in FY 2023 to 3,665 in FY 2024. This uptick has been fueled by a surge in families purchasing passes, along with a variety of swim lessons and events held at the pool. A special mention goes to the water aerobics program, which also contributed to this growth.
Lacey noted that the pool’s manager has been proactive in marketing the space for events, creating buzz and encouraging local residents to take advantage of the facilities. “She’s one of those people where something comes in her mind and she goes and does it,” he said, showcasing the can-do attitude that’s fostering Starkville’s community spirit.
A Vision for the Future
On the horizon, the city is targeting 35 sports tourism events for the upcoming year, with a focus on further marketing Cornerstone and other department assets. As part of a larger vision, the advisory team at Sports Facilities Companies is preparing to refresh the city’s 2016 master plan in a collaborative process that will engage the community.
Mayor Lynn Spruill expressed the necessity of ensuring that this new plan is actionable and practical, saying, “I want a master plan that will give a way forward.” This highlights a commitment not just to dream big but to also lay down tangible steps to achieve those dreams.
With such dynamic plans and an eye on progress, Starkville seems poised to continue thriving as a community hub that brings both residents and visitors together through its parks and recreational activities.
