The first official day of spring was March 20. After a week which ended with some short but dramatic bursts of rain, the skies cleared on Saturday morning. It was a beautiful spring day. 

As such, it was the perfect time to drop by local parks to see who was enjoying them and why.

Folks who enjoy Mineola Civic Center park know that it changes incrementally. Something, even small things, are improved year to year. After having the old shrubbery removed from around the play area, the park became a much more welcoming place. 

Relaxing was just what Harper Anderson was doing after having pedaled in to kill some time on a late Saturday morning.

“It’s a great place just to come and relax,” she offered. 

While Anderson was reading in the shade of a live oak, a two-year old named Aila was exploring the playground. It appeared that Aila was testing out her legs. The obstacles and gentle steps and elevation changes were like a private testing ground for her balance and confidence. 

It was a heart-warming thing to watch. Her mother, Mary, was always nearby, at that secret young parent distance – close enough for safety and far enough away for independence.

As noon approached, a handful of families had come and gone, to allow their little ones a few minutes of sheer joy. A larger celebration was just being set up.  

At the western edge of the park, under two large trees, a family was beginning to prep for what looked to be a great party. 

Alison Gonzalez and family were setting-up for her daughter, Galilea’s, 6th birthday celebration. Galilea and her twin four-year old siblings Zoe and Troy were dressed to the ‘nines’ for the event. Galilea was expecting, “the best presents ever,” later in the day.

Next stop was Quitman. There are times and places wherein a structure commands a true presence at its location. So it was with the old pavilion at the Gov. Jim Hogg City Park. 

Anyone who doubts that should go by and take in the area where it stood. It is amazing just how the pavilion shaped the park. With it standing the park appeared expansive; in its absence -- and with sightlines now far beyond the park boundaries – it seemed small and somewhat undefined. 

It will be a happy day to restore a large pavilion to the park and reclaim the overwatch that it provides for the park and those who enjoy it.

Among those enjoying the park that Saturday were visitors from Sulphur Springs. Robert Martinez and his three young sons stopped at the park to do the nature walk. 

The highlight of the walk was sighting a small snake and, of course, walking the old bridge. 

Martinez had taken the boys with him that morning to check out the mountain-biking trails at the Mineola Nature Preserve. Stopping in Quitman was a great break on the way home.    

Also in use at the time was the well-maintained basketball court and what appeared to be everyone’s favorite, the outdoor musical instruments.

Following a quick stop for lunch, the mission continued on to Swearingen Park just over the Hwy. 154 bridge.  

The Sabine River Authority continues to improve Swearingen. Recently added are two major elements: restroom facilities and a splash pad. It is anticipated that both will soon be in operation. 

On this day over 80 people were at Swearingen Park, split between families at the playground and others enjoying fishing from the shoreline. 

Yantis resident Chris Horton was among those casting for bass. Horton is a regular at the park, enjoying the unique shoreline features. He pointed out two bass guarding a spawning bed and a gar which was gliding along in the inlet at the northern reaches of the park. 

Horton also makes use of the small park pavilions on Sunday mornings. He and a handful of others conduct Bible studies at the park each Sunday.

“They have really put a lot of work into this park,” he stated, “and it’s a great place to come.” 

He explained that most of the time the pavilions are ‘first-come, first-served’, but that for larger events folks reserve them.

One of those larger events was already underway at a pavilion conveniently adjacent to the playground. There the Barlock family of Quitman was celebrating Emma Barlock’s 7th birthday. 

The area was decorated with streamers, and the tables were chock-full of gifts and food. Gift-opening was just underway, but the family paused for a group photo. 

The last stop on the tour was the small jewel of a park in Alba. There, a youngster enjoyed something not often seen in parks these days – a tetherball. 

The city of Alba just recently put the park through a major improvement program, and it is a quality park. In addition to the playground, some luncheon spots under large shade trees and a revamped sand volleyball court, an asphalt walking path encircles the park. 

Often folks come to Wood County for the quality of life. A big part of that quality of life is the existence and maintenance of parks, such as the four described above.