Parham Bridges Park’s New Pickleball Courts: In less than a year, the LeFleur East Foundation has invested over $200,000 in improvements to Parham Bridges Park in North Jackson, Mississippi. Led by Clay Hays and supported by local donors and grants, the work includes new pickleball courts, resurfaced tennis courts, and increased security.
The upgrades began after LeFleur East signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Jackson. This agreement allowed the foundation to make changes to the public park. Funding comes from private donations and groups like the “LeFleur East 100,” where each member contributes at least $1,000.
A Safer and More Active Park
Clay Hays, the chair of the LeFleur East Board and a cardiologist, emphasized that these changes are about improving life in Jackson.
“This is our home. You want to make your home nice. All the people on the LeFleur East Board live here, a lot of us live here and work here,
This is about making Jackson a great place to live, work, and play… And if we don’t do it, who is?”-(Clay Hays)
Among the main upgrades are ten brand-new pickleball courts, fresh surfaces on four tennis courts, a privacy fence, and a new gate at the main entrance. These changes help make the park more secure and easier to manage.
“Brand new pickleball courts… We put in four more tennis courts back here, or resurfaced them… We put in this fence over here, and we’re putting in this gate, and that’s all been nine months.”-(Clay Hays)
More Improvements Underway
The LeFleur East Foundation also plans to build more tennis courts and redesign the parking lot. The curved drive leading to the main lot will be reshaped to create space for new courts.
“We’re going to have to make this more rectangular. Once we do that, we can take out this asphalt and start putting in more tennis courts.” -(Clay Hays)
The organization is working with Hinds County to repave the lot and with Green Oak Florists to add new plants. One bridge on the park’s one-mile trail collapsed and is now blocked off with barricades. Fixing it is on the to-do list, along with building a new tennis pro shop.
On Friday, steel signs showing the park entrance and LeFleur East’s efforts were placed at the front. A new gate and fence will keep traffic from cutting through the lot.
“We worked with Jeff Speed, so we’re going to have a fence come around there, so it’s going to completely seal it on this side. The only way people can come in is through the entrance here.”-(Clay Hays)
Bringing New Energy to Jackson
Clay Hays believes that these changes matter not just for current residents, but for the future of the city.
“People don’t realize what a great place Mississippi is, but I think the nation is starting to wake up. People, when they come here, they’re like, ‘OK, now we’re starting to have some jobs. What are we going to do?’ Well, hey, we’ve got great facilities. We’ve got the foundation. It just needs a refresh.”-(Clay Hays)
The work at Parham Bridges Park shows how local leadership and community support can bring real, visible change.
News in Brief: Parham Bridges Park’s New Pickleball Courts
LeFleur East Foundation has spent over $200,000 improving Parham Bridges Park in North Jackson. The upgrades include ten new pickleball courts, tennis court resurfacing, fences, and a new gate. More updates like parking, trails, and a pro shop are planned to make the park safer and more attractive for all visitors.
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