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VIDALIA, La. — Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft updated the public on a variety of projects during the Vidalia Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, including plans to build an inclusive playground in the Polk Park project.

The inclusive playground, modeled after one that opened in the spring of 2024 in Ryder Park in Grand Island, Nebraska, features a wide variety of equipment with a fully accessible play space for children of all ages and abilities.

A video shown of the playground during Tuesday’s meeting highlighted a few of these features, including a zipline feature, musical instrument, an in-ground wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, obstacle courses and more.

Adjacent to the playground will be a splash pad with more play features and an outdoor fitness court and studio.

“I’m pushing hard to get this done by the fall,” Craft said. “I know that’s a little ambitious, but everything is done and they should be starting the infrastructure work any day.”

The expansion of Polk Park, adjacent to the municipal complex, was one of many projects approved by the town for use of excess revenue from hydroelectric royalties from the Sidney A Murray Jr. Hydroelectric Station.

“It’s something to be excited about,” Craft said of the park. “People are going to be coming here to play instead of going somewhere else.”

Other ongoing projects include expansion of the Vidalia water plant, construction of an electrical substation, a slough pumping station to help with drainage, construction of new sidewalks, renovation of the Council on Aging building, adding new safety netting for Recreation District ball parks and trimming problem trees.

Another project on the wish list that hasn’t been done is overlaying D.A. Biglane Street, Craft said.
“That has been a sore spot for me,” Craft said. “I’m embarrassed that we haven’t gotten it done. It has been six or seven years and I’ve tried every avenue (for funding). … If we don’t have anything in place by our next hydro meeting, I’m going to ask the city council to get D.A. Biglane on the list. It’s a very crucial line to our industrial park.”