Head west on Lake Harbour Drive in Ridgeland, continue past the intersection with U.S. Highway 51, and notice the clearing that has been done for what’s being called an ecotourism park.
The project began as a drainage improvement to restore the retention capacity of the pond at Freedom Ridge Park, which is located at 235 W. School St., said Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee.
“After being awarded numerous grants, the project was expanded into an ecotourism park,” he said.
A retention pond is being added that is expected to improve downstream drainage and expand the environment for wildlife species including ducks, fish and other species that will settle into the new habitat, he said.
The area will eventually include nature trails, connecting bridges, native plant species and interpretative signage.
Waggoner Engineering is the lead engineer for the project. Waggoner Engineering has partnered with Garver, LLC for hydraulics, calculations and pond design and with ALTA for schematic planning and landscape architecture for the project.
Hemphill Construction Company, Inc. began work on Nov. 18, 2024, and expects to have it completed on May 2, 2026, McGee said.
A transfer of $2 million of Madison County’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation that was matched with a $1.83 million grant from the Mississippi Municipality & County Water Infrastructure Grant Program as well as a $1 million grant from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund is funding the work. In addition, Madison County granted the city of Ridgeland an additional $500,000 for the Purple Creek tributary work.
“The addition of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund funding really gives us a chance to add some elements to the drainage projects that will take the Freedom Ridge Park phase of the project to the next level,” said Alan Hart, director of public works for the city of Ridgeland.
The total cost of the project is $5.3 million.
Here are the benefits the project is expected to provide:
- Expand outdoor recreational opportunities at Freedom Ridge Park by adding fishing areas, wildlife observation and bird watching, wildlife and habitat education and hiking/walking trails with observation decks, benches and educational signage along the trail.
- Improve the hydraulic capacity of the Purple Creek basin, which will help resolve major flooding, reduce erosion and siltation and preserve the streambank in the immediate area as well as areas of Ridgeland, Madison County, Jackson and Hinds County.
- Expand the Freedom Ridge Park’s attractiveness so that it becomes a regional draw with an ecotourism component.
- Provide educational resources such as signage and exhibits to identify wildlife, plant life and promote the importance of the natural environment and highlight the local habitat and unique features in Ridgeland.
Freedom Ridge Park contains many outdoor recreational facilities and areas including four regulation baseball/softball fields, four regulation soccer fields, four picnic pavilions, two playgrounds, two concession/restroom facilities, a lighted walking trail, a three-acre pond and natural/wooded areas.
The park is currently connected with internal trails and sidewalks, and the project will connect into the existing trail system and provide connectivity to all outdoor recreational areas.
