Gadsden Mayor — Mayor Craig Ford (City of Gadsden)

The City of Gadsden announced it has received a $822,634 grant from Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the federal Land Water Conservation Fund to design and build a new splash pad and other improvements at Joseph T. Robinson Park.

In addition to the splash pad, the park will receive the following upgrades:

Two pavilions
Restrooms
Parking area
ADA-accessible sidewalks,
Lighting, security cameras and an emergency call station

“We have worked on this project for more than two years, and I’m proud to see it be realized. Coach Robinson left a great legacy as a coach and educator in our community, and these upgrades will give families another wonderful place to make memories.”
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford

Gadsden is on a roll

This is the second major federal recreation grant the city of Gadsden has secured in the past two years. In September 2024, the city received a nearly $3 million grant from the Department of Interior to construct the Downtown Gadsden Greenway.

This summer the “City of Champions” broke ground on the construction of a $430 million Minth Group auto facility. The community also started construction on a new $82 million sports complex in May 2026.