Construction to resume at Sulphur Springs Park

MADISON COUNTY, MS (WLBT) - A Madison County park that was initially mired in controversy is moving closer to completion.

Sulphur Springs Park is located at the corner of Sulphur Springs Road and Highway 17, northeast of Canton. County supervisors put the project on hold several years ago after more than $2 million was spent on clearing the land, building a lake, and paying the county’s former engineer.

In a 3 On Your Side Investigates report in 2017, Supervisor Paul Griffin, whose district includes the park, was finding little support for spending the additional money needed to complete it. At that time, new board members were focused on shoring-up their budget and distancing themselves from the administration that preceded them.

Griffin has since won enough support to move the project forward. The board approved a bond in 2017 that would fund both the widening of Gluckstadt Road and construction at the park. Griffin says the Madison County Nursing Home Board is also providing funding for some of the fitness-related aspects of the park, including walking trails.

On Monday, the board approved a site plan for three structures on the property:

• A “health center” with kitchen and restroom facilities that could be used for community events and health-related purposes like exercise-education and aerobics classes
• An open-air pavilion for small parties and picnics
• A restroom building.

The estimated cost of the three structures is $1.4 million, according to documents on the Board of Supervisors’ website.

Griffin says once the buildings are complete, the park, including its fishing lake, can open to the public. He says he will have a better idea of the timeline once the contract is finalized and signed.

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