When a city is jammed with roughly 17 parks, not counting its multitude of athletic fields, it’s tough for one recreational facility to stand out. But over the past few years, Lake Kennedy’s residents have done all they can to make their park one of Suffolk’s finest.

A new parking lot has been added and the basketball courts have been repaved, all with new hoops. A set of playground equipment for older children was also erected, joining the one for area youths that was built back in 1999. A pair of picnic shelters also went up, with grills in each.

Then, last summer, a new bathroom was finished, with a huge sidewalk leading to it for those that might have trouble making it through a hilly, grassy area. That was the final part to the park’s near-$90,000 improvement project, which locals celebrated on Wednesday afternoon.

&uot;This park was a golden opportunity for us, and this is a joyous day,&uot; said Kennedy Civic League president Eddie Hicks. &uot;We’ve been needing these improvements, and we’re definitely pleased with the results. I’m proud to be the civic league president because this is a milestone for us. As you look around, you can see that we accomplished a lot. It was hard work, but it was worth the while.&uot;

That hard work came from everywhere, said city councilman Charles Brown.

&uot;The key was to work as a team,&uot; he said. &uot;This was an opportunity to work, and this is our payday. Let’s continue to have visions, set goals, reach goals, and continue to work hard and achieve great things in our district.

&uot;You haven’t seen nothing yet!&uot; Brown added. &uot;We still have a lot to achieve in our city, and we’ll leave no part of the city untouched.&uot;

Parks and Recreation director Lakita Frazier remembered her own youthful times in the area.

&uot;As someone who was born and raised in Suffolk,&uot; she said, &uot;I can say that this was a complete community-driven project. We have been able to meet many milestones, such as the parking lot, the basketball courts, and now the new bathroom facilities. This is a place where we can all come and feel safe.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com