Mayor Laurence Leyens’ vision for the $2.8 million Art Park at Catfish Row and splash fountain has come full circle. The Levee Street attraction, completed in 2005, will be the venue for a summer community event, called Hope in the City, slated for Aug. 18.

&#8220This is what it was intended for – for people to use,” Leyens said in a Wednesday meeting of the Board of Mayor and Alderman.

Jennifer Tillotson, a choir teacher at Warren Central High School, plans to have an event for the public to learn more about ministries offered by area churches.

The board approved her request to use the art-adorned park for her event from 9 to 11 a.m. She is the first community member to request event usage of the park, which is mostly used by small children hoping to cool off during hot summer months.

Leyens said anyone can plan an event at the park by calling the city clerk’s office at 601-631-3716. To have an event, planners must acquire a certificate of insurance, but there is no charge to use the park. Permission from the city does not give anyone exclusive use of the park, Leyens said. Others may still use the park while an event is happening.

&#8220I’m just happy someone wants to have an event there,” he said.

Tillotson said it was a perfect venue for her event. An added bonus was the on-site bathroom facilities and the concrete sidewalks, she said. The art panels, which were installed in November after a weeks-long art blitz, headed by art teacher Nancy Mitchell, also provided a welcoming backdrop for Tillotson’s event.

&#8220There are so many artistic things around,” she said. &#8220And the splash fountain will help – people can keep cool. It seems like a really wonderful place for this.”

She hopes to draw all ages to the event, which will offer refreshments, a percussion booth, dance area, face painting, mural painting on canvas and live performances.

As part of the activities that day, an information booth will be on site with brochures listing services, such as First Baptist Church’s medical and dental clinic.

&#8220These are services that people might not know about,” she said. &#8220We want to hand them hope on a piece of paper and tell them that’s what’s available in the city. The purpose is to make people aware of God’s hope.”

Tillotson couldn’t believe she was the first person to think to host an event at the city-owned park.

&#8220I was surprised because it’s such a great place. It has so much potential,” she said. &#8220I feel sure people will realize they can use it for different things.”

The art park, funded by the city with a portion of the $17.5 million 2001 bond issue, also includes a steamboat-themed play area and a stage. Parts from the Sprague, a record-setting towboat that was a downtown attraction until it burned in 1974, are also incorporated into the theme.