The Gifford Community Celebrates the Opening of the Martin Luther King Jr. Walking Trail and Park 

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FL – On Saturday, February 27^th, a long envisioned dream of the Gifford community finally came to completion, the grand opening of the Martin Luther King Jr. Walking Trail and Park. Under clear blue skies and the delightful sounds of the Gifford Middle School Jazz Band, members of the Gifford community with county and city leaders officially opened the park for all to enjoy.

"It was a beautiful day culminating many residents and agencies coming together to celebrate the hard work that made the park improvements happen. It truly is a shining example of how we can all work together to create a vital asset for the Gifford community”, said Julianne Price, Florida Department of Health in Indian River Community Health Improvement Manager.

The trail’s path to realization was long and winding. It started as part of the County’s “Gifford Neighborhood Plan” and is now part of the Beautification project that was outlined in the plan. With the aid of the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County, Indian River County applied for a grant from the State of Florida’s Recreational Trails Program.  Many partners also leant their support and time, including Grand Harbor Homeowners Association, Indian River County Hospital District, Florida Department of Health in Indian River, Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, and Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The ribbon was cut at the entrance to the United Way Born Learning Trail. This section of the trail was constructed by Piper employees as part of the United Way’s Day of Caring.  Along the shaded trail, historic markers provided by the Indian River Historical Society were unveiled, which tell the history of the Gifford Community, the Macedonia Church, and cemetery.

What was once an unsafe vacant lot filled with trash and weeds is now a jewel in the crown of the Gifford community.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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