Cheney Griffin Park in Bainbridge is getting an upgrade—one that actually looks more like a park, City Manager Chris Hobby said.

“Cheney Griffin Park looked more like a parking lot than a park,” Hobby said. “The idea is to create more green space where people could come enjoy the river and enjoy themselves.”

Where once was a huge area of asphalt has now been dug up and grass seeded. The plan is to turn the entire area into a grassier, greener environment for people to play on, picnic on and enjoy. The remaining asphalt will bend around the grass by the river.

Much of asphalt will be up by the end of next week, Hobby said, at which point the city will wait for the grass to grow. In October, Bainbridge will repave the road circling around the park and ultimately install a curb.

As for the green area itself, Hobby said the city plans to offer picnic tables, but other recreation elements are being worked on, including space for a dog park and a disc golf course.

The Cheney Griffin Park upgrade is part of the City of Bainbridge’s connectivity master plan that will transform Cheney Griffin and the Earle May Boat Basin.

The goal is to connect Downtown Bainbridge with these locations to improve recreation and entertainment options for city residents.