Written by Amanda Coers – Brownwood group Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) held a dedication ceremony for the newly renovated Cecil Holman Park on Friday, June 15th. City officials, business owners, and other community members were invited to celebrate with the organization as they saw the completion of a long renovation that began in 1991.

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Brownwood City Councilman, Mayor Pro Tem, and founder of ROC, Draco Miller, awarded certificates during Friday’s dedication to recognize several individuals whose businesses or organizations had contributed to the park’s renovation.

“It soothes my heart to know that the community pulls together in diversity, all types of diversity, we’re here together. Thank you,” Miller said.

Nearly 30 years ago, Miller set out with his children to repaint playground equipment at the park located in their neighborhood. Miller requested paint from the City of Brownwood for the project.

“They gave it to us,” Miller said at the dedication ceremony held last Friday. “I didn’t think they thought we were going to get it done. It was hot, but we did.”

The dream of seeing a better park for the children in their neighborhood didn’t end there. Over the years, Miller and his family and friends began working towards a bigger realization for Cecil Holman Park.

Draco’s daughter Natasha, who had helped him repaint the playground equipment as a child, was present at the dedication to share her feelings

“Me and my brother really loved coming down here, because we loved spending that quality time with our father,” she said. “I really love this park. There’s a lot of great memories down here. It’s lovely seeing how it’s come together, knowing me and my brother had a big part in this.”

Attendees at the dedication ceremony enjoyed a catered lunch from Humphrey Pete’s restaurant, served under a large shaded pavilion located between the park’s older playground equipment and the newer playground area recently installed.

The park now features a walking trail, several newly planted trees, freshly painted benches, memorials and more.

“What a beautiful facility,” Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes said of the park during the celebration. “I want to thank Councilman Miller and the ROC organization for all their hard work. Nothing speaks more volume about community than our community parks. We want places to take our kids and feel like they can play with their friends in a safe environment.”

Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford expressed appreciation on behalf of the city staff for being a part of the ambitious renovation project.

“You had a great vision and a lot of big ideas that we sometimes had to take a big gulp and say ‘I think we can do that…’ and so thank you for trusting us as your city staff to make it happen,” Crawford said to ROC organizers.

Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Director Ray Tipton shared his mother often brought his children to many of the city’s 21 parks. He felt his mother, who had passed away in 2014, would have been particularly pleased to have her name associated with the project. Tipton purchased one of the memorial stones now featured in the Honor Garden located in Cecil Holman Park.

“I’m anxious to see it, because I have a brick with my mom’s name on there, just to pass that legacy on,” he said.

The final stone was placed at the close of the dedication ceremony. The stone reads: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6.

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