Perfecting the Town of Waverly
A park that was destroyed in a 2016 tornado seeks assistance in repairing the area—including the baseball field, basketball court and concession stand. The renovated facility will provide much-needed recreational space and opportunities for local youths and citizens of all ages and beautify the destroyed area.
Why It Matters
One block from the center of the town is the Sussex County Young Men’s Athletic Club (SCYMAC) Park that was primarily used for the local men’s baseball team. Due to extreme damage from a fatal tornado in 2016, the park has been closed for five years. Damaged fencing, ruined basketball courts and roofless concession stands are all in desperate need of attention and repair.
The town and entire county offer little to no recreational places or events simply because there is no money for such. The youth in Waverly desperately need a safe place where they can congregate and enjoy the physical activities that contribute to their overall health and well-being.
The Impact
“Ensconced in the middle of an already impoverished, rural county in southeastern Virginia, the once vibrant and thriving small town of Waverly has endured the loss of two major industries, a tornado with fatalities, and a hurricane all of which immensely changed the dynamics and landscapes of the town,” said project nominator Brittany Artis.
“Like many small towns throughout the country, the blight and lack of employment opportunities created an exodus of residents seeking a better life. Recently, a small wave of previous residents and retirees returned, working to re-establish and resurrect the old hometown they remembered and loved."
The beauty of Waverly: Everyone knows his/her neighbors. There is a sense of belonging. There is a love of community.
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