Extension Matters

Volume 11 Number 3

Rolling Fork’s Sunflower Corner

AIM for CHangE, community stakeholders partner to develop local pocket park

Story by Bonnie Coblentz | Photos by Kevin Hudson

A community rebuilding from a devasting tornado got an emotional boost from a pocket park helping beautify downtown Rolling Fork.

Business owners Steven Cooper and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed the city to use a portion of their parking lot. Green turf, picnic tables, umbrellas, and chairs now form an inviting space for guests to relax. Called Sunflower Corner, it was named for the grocery store housed there years ago.

“We wanted to see something positive in the town, and we feel it is a step in the right direction for the whole community,” Steven explains. “We want downtown to be something to look at again; now, it’s currently not.”

On March 24, 2023, a tornado decimated Rolling Fork, damaging or destroying 30% of downtown and much of the surrounding neighborhoods and houses in Sharkey and Issaquena Counties.

“We had a nice town square before the tornado, but today, it’s missing some pieces,” Steven says.

The Coopers bought the corner lot that included the old Sunflower Grocery building. Although heavily damaged by the tornado, they were able to salvage and renovate the building. It is now a gym called R.E.P.S.S. that Steven manages, and Rollin Nutrition, a meal replacement shop that Rebecca owns.

Their adjoining parking lot was much larger than their needs.

In talks with Alexis Hamilton, Sharkey County agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, Steven learned of an AIM for CHangE grant available for use to improve downtown Rolling Fork. Facilitated by MSU Extension, the AIM for CHangE program stands for Advancing, Inspiring, and Motivating for Community Health through Extension.

Grant administrators and personnel from Mississippi’s Lower Delta Partnership in coordination with MSU’s Fred Carl Jr. Small Town Center developed the idea for a pocket park that could be used by the entire community.

“They wanted to do something special and different to brighten up the area,” Hamilton says. “A lot of the Rolling Fork downtown area was destroyed, but the Coopers had this partially used parking lot.

“We already had funds to do certain projects, and Rolling Fork had a plan in place since the tornado for some beautification projects,” he continues.

AIM for CHangE bought the supplies, and the Coopers, Extension partners, and volunteers did the work to turn the space into a pretty spot to relax.

“Now it is being used. You see families sitting outside and kids playing games,” Hamilton says.

The park is part of a one-third mile walking loop around the downtown area. Painted sunflowers mark the track and crosswalks along Walnut Street.

“We’re hoping that by adding this park, others will see individual business owners and people in the town doing good and say, ‘It’s our turn to do something,’” Steven Cooper emphasizes. “I think this park has the potential to inspire others to do something.”

Latara Arterberry was the principal investigator on this Rolling Fork project. She says the park is both a health resource and a symbol of resilience after the tornado.

“This project is an important example of how community vision and collaborative partnerships can come together to support both recovery and long-term health in Sharkey County,” Arterberry explains. “My role in AIM for CHangE projects is to support the community and our local Extension team in planning and implementing projects that improve access to safe, active spaces.

“For the pocket park, that meant aligning resources, providing technical support, and helping coordinate with local leaders so the project could move from idea to reality,” she says. “The community provided the vision, and we worked to make sure the grant could help bring it to life.”