Saint Hebron residents press Gadsden County on delayed Pine Grove Park completion

QUINCY, Fla. — Dozens of residents from the Saint Hebron / Saint Matthew area pressed the Gadsden County Commission at its meeting for clarity and a timetable on Pine Grove Park, which they say remains incomplete despite community plans and a lease agreement with the county.

Charles Flowers, president of the local community group, said the park "has been over 15 years" in planning and that the community expected a summer opening that did not occur. Multiple community members described muddy construction conditions, missing restrooms and play equipment they consider inadequate for older children and adults.

"We would like to see the park completed in my lifetime," said Evelyn Cunningham, a longtime resident, asking specifically why a restroom and larger swings were not installed as previously expected. Vivian Grant and others urged commissioners to be fair about equipment distribution across the county, citing differences in scale and quality among parks.

Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said the parks director could better answer technical and scheduling questions; however, several commissioners said the parks director was unexpectedly absent from the meeting. Commissioners Simpkins and others said they have been fighting for progress in the district and requested that staff return with a clear timeline and budget options. Chair noted the board had discussed a parks workshop and budget allocations and said administrators would be asked to place concrete follow‑up (timeline and budget amendment requests, if needed) on a future agenda.

What27s next: Commissioners agreed to arrange a staff briefing (the parks director was invited to respond) and indicated they may put park funding or a timeline on a future agenda for board approval.