City in wait-and-see mode for boat landing

Walker Reynolds is in a holding pattern as the Demopolis Park and Recreation Department waits to hear if plans for the City Landing bear fruit.

Reynolds, director of Parks and Rec, said the city has been in discussion with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for development of the landing. The state would take it over, upgrading the boat launches and ramps and providing more parking, “Just what we want,” said Reynolds.

The state also would construct a concrete retaining wall with a step-down feature where boats could be tied.

The city for its part would handle general maintenance such as trash pickup and grounds keeping.

But all those remain possibilities until the state agrees to invest an estimated $1.5 million in the project, said Reynolds.

He said the process could take about three years since the state department already has commitments for funds for the next year or two.

Reynolds hopes to hear from the state within the next 30 to 60 days to get things started. That way, when funding becomes available, work can start immediately.

At one time the state had considered developing a site at Arcola which, said Reynolds, “would not have benefited Demopolis at all.”

Plans for the City Landing are part of a list of long-range goals Reynolds and the Park and Rec Board have to improve recreational opportunities for the city and encourage more people to spend time here.