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At the Aug. 12 Greenville City Council meeting, Tracy Salter, executive director of the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, provided an update on the “Soon to Bloom” project.

The initiative is aimed at revitalizing the Camellia gardens at Beeland Park and Salter shared the project’s significance for the city and the community, expressing her excitement about the progress being made.

“Recently, the city received notification that the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has learned about our project at the Beeland Park Camellia Garden,” Salter said. 

The “Soon to Bloom” project is a three-phase renovation and restoration effort at the garden. Phase one, which is set to break ground in October, is budgeted at approximately $115,000. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has committed $70,000 in funding towards this phase. The remainder of the funds are being raised through a community brick project, where individuals and businesses can purchase customized bricks that will be incorporated into the garden’s walkway.

The planned improvements include a new brick wall entrance, designed to complement the existing Beeland Park entrance and a soft-surface walkway throughout the garden’s three-and-a-half-acre area. 

“It’s a beautiful design,” Salter noted, “And, people can actually customize bricks… and have their name forever etched in the history of Beeland Park.”

Salter encouraged the community to support the project by purchasing a brick, which she described as a “minimal investment” that would contribute to the park’s legacy. The Chamber expects to complete the fundraising effort within the next month and fully

fund the first phase. 

To personalize your brick for the Beeland Park project, Salter encourages residents to call or stop by the Chamber of Commerce office.