As part of the statewide campaign of “Keeping Alabama Beautiful,” Snead State Community College is stepping up to the “Clean Home Alabama” challenge created by the Alabama Community College System to celebrate the State’s Bicentennial. 

The Snead State Student Ambassadors and employees have taken on the project of creating more green spaces on campus for students and the community to enjoy. These “Pop Up Parks” will be found in two locations – between the Administration Building and the gymnasium and across campus by the Bevill Auditorium and Weathers Business Building. 

Over the past month, the students have been collecting donations of pallets, tires, metal signs, tables, and other outdoor furniture and materials to repurpose/recycle into mini parks on campus. The Ambassadors also collected sponsorships from businesses and individuals, recognized as “Park Partners,” to assist in paying for the materials and the cost of painting a mural cost as well as to help in maintaining the parks. 

A unique addition to the Pop Up Parks is a mural that honors the rich Snead State history to be located on the side of the Academic Success Center, near the park by the Weathers Business Building. Muralist Donald Walker of Arab is the artist and just completed the mural in downtown Boaz. 

Another unique addition is an “Eno Park,” provided by Marshall-Dekalb Electric Cooperative. Students can hook up Eno’s, or hammocks, and read, relax or study.

The students have a vision of future poetry readings, games, live music, and group study sessions at the parks and a place to hang out in between classes.

Students and employees have been working this week (Nov. 4-7) to assemble the parks. The public is invited to the ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 8, from 4-6 p.m. at the park located at 498 W Mann Ave. in Boaz. The event will include opening remarks from local and state dignitaries, live music from Joe Cagle, a food truck, and games.

Employees with Marshall DeKalb Electric Cooperative worked alongside Snead State Community College student Ambassadors to add an Eno Park to the Pop Up Parks project sponsored by the College as part of Clean Home Alabama. Pictured from left are, back row, Lloyd Hayes with MDEC, Snead State Ambassadors PJ Watts of Geraldine, Faith Davis of Albertville, Teryn Hill of Sardis, Will Dooley of Boaz, Summer Maddox of Crossville, Ruben Ortiz of Guntersville, Alyssa Barrentine of Guntersville and Darryl Ross with MDEC; front row, student Ambassadors McKayla Loveday of Albertville, Maggie Cortes of Albertville and Sadie Burns of Boaz