Walnut Ballfields, Archery Park Taking Shape, Town Says
Work on the new Walnut ballfields and an archery park is moving along, the Town of Walnut said Friday. The town posted a short video on its official Facebook page giving residents a first look at the project. “Big things are happening in Walnut!” the post began.
The town said it “couldn’t wait” to share a sneak peek of the progress on the new ballfields and archery park. It added that there is “still plenty of work to be done,” but that things are coming together. The post closed with a promise to residents: “Stay tuned, Walnut! The best is yet to come!”
A First Look at the New Walnut Ballfields
The opening frame of the town’s video shows an infield with a striped artificial-turf pathway leading toward home plate and a large white “W” logo set into the turf. Behind it are a dirt infield, an outfield and fencing along the edge of the property. The video is captioned “Built for Big Moments.”
The town did not say in the post when the fields or the archery park are expected to open, what the project will cost, or which leagues and teams will use the new fields. Tippah News will update this story as the town shares more details.
Earlier State Funding for a Walnut Recreation Park
Walnut has had a large recreation project in the works for several years. In May 2023, the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund approved $996,300 for a Town of Walnut project called the “Richardson Sportsplex and Outdoor Recreation Park,” according to the state’s list of approved projects. That list shows $3,085,700 in matching funds for the project.
Friday’s post did not name the project or say whether the new ballfields and archery park are part of that sportsplex. Readers should not assume the two are the same project until the town confirms it.
The Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, managed by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, awards grants for outdoor recreation, conservation and public access projects around the state.
What It Could Mean for Walnut
New fields would give youth baseball and softball players in western Tippah County another place to play close to home. An archery park would add an outdoor option that’s still uncommon in small Mississippi towns. Archery is a popular school and youth sport in the state, and the Mississippi archery deer season opened Oct. 1.
The update comes during a busy fall for Walnut. The town held its first Movie Night on Main in September and has Sweet Treats on Main planned for Halloween night, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. Walnut Attendance Center’s volleyball team is also still alive in the playoffs and plays at East Union on Monday in the North State finals.
How to Follow the Project
- Watch the Town of Walnut’s official Facebook page for progress videos and opening announcements.
- Questions can go to Walnut Town Hall at 662-223-4405.
- The state’s grant records are posted by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration.
More Walnut news: Walnut Volleyball Sweeps Myrtle, Heads to North State Finals.
Source: Town of Walnut, Mississippi (Facebook); Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund approved projects, May 2023
