Gadsden City outlines park and facilities upgrades, new riverfront fuel station and upcoming ribbon cuttings

Gadsden City Mayor Craig Ford outlined several parks and facility projects under way, including a new self-service fuel station near the Coosa River, completion of two turf fields at the Gadsden State sports complex, and upcoming ribbon cuttings for a fire station and a campground on Nakalua Mountain. The city has already opened an animal habitat and continues to promote Noccalula Falls as a high-visitor attraction.

Ford said the riverfront fuel station near the bait shack in East Gadsden is pending one permit and will offer two pumps on each side with self-service credit-card payment; the mayor described the station as both a convenience for river users and a potential revenue source for the city. "So you'll be able to fill up with fuel on the Coosa River now, and all our bass fishermen can fill up by land and by water," Ford said.

He said the Gadsden State sports complex will receive two turf fields that are expected to be completed in 30 days; Ford added that fields used previously for practice will be converted into an "official collegiate field." He also said the city will announce an additional development for that facility in the near term.

Ford listed planned ribbon cuttings on Nakalua Mountain for a new fire station and campgrounds and said the animal habitat ribbon has already occurred. He encouraged residents to visit the falls and park facilities as spring weather improves.

The mayor framed these projects as improvements to quality of life and as sources of activity and revenue for the city.