DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) - After Hurricane Helene destroyed Unity Park in 2024, many Douglas residents were left without a place to gather or exercise. Now, the park is officially back open after a ribbon-cutting ceremony, bringing fresh hope to the community.

City leaders invested nearly $30 million in parks and recreation projects aimed at creating safer, healthier spaces for youth and families. Studies from the U.S. Department of Justice show that structured activities can reduce juvenile rearrest rates from 35% to just 2.7%.

“About 10 years ago, the Justice Department made us spend $25 million on a jail. Now, we’re spending money on our children investing in parks so they don’t end up in what I call the ‘Taj Mahal’ out there,” said Mayor Tony Paulk.

Local businesses are also stepping up to support community wellness. One of those businesses is FLY Fitness, which stands for First Love Yourself. Owner Dionne Ingram’s fitness studio focuses on empowering women and promoting self-love through group workouts, personal training and health education.

Ingram said the reopening of Unity Park gives her the perfect opportunity to expand her impact beyond the gym walls.

“It’s perfect,” said Ingram. “I’m going to bring some of my girls out here. We’ll exercise, communicate and just enjoy the park together.”

Ingram said she plans to offer outdoor fitness boot camps, walking groups and community wellness events right at Unity Park making fitness more accessible for people who may not feel comfortable in a traditional gym setting.

According to the National Study of Neighborhood Parks, the average park sees around 20 users per hour. City leaders said they hope the renovated Unity Park will encourage more youth involvement and positive community engagement.

“The dream is to turn devastation into something positive,” said Mayor Paulk. “A Parks and Rec kid raises a Parks and Rec kid.”

Douglas city leaders said Unity Park is just the beginning, with future plans to renovate more parks across the city.

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