Freedom Ridge gets safety nets

RIDGELAND — Work is expected to begin this week on a netting system around the softball fields at Freedom Ridge Park to keep foul balls from adjoining fields hitting spectators.

“I am glad the city board let us move forward on this,” said Parks and Recreation Director John Sidney North. 

“This will improve the watchability and overall spectator experience for fans and other spectators at Freedom Ridge.”

The netting will cover blind spots on all four fields at the Ridgeland park. North said it will be a “simple project” but will address what has been an ongoing issue. 

“It is a safety issue,” North said.

He noted some of these balls were coming from directions where the spectators at another park could not even see them coming.

The city board unanimously approved a $296,855 contract with Wildstone Construction Services, a firm out of Flora, at their July 2 regularly scheduled meeting.

“We want to get this contract approved so John Sidney can move forward with this project,” Mayor Gene F. McGee said at the meeting.

North said the notice to proceed was given on Monday, July 8, and said he hoped work would begin as early as Wednesday.

He said the first step would be to dig holes for the beams that will support the overhead nets.

“We hope they will be putting up the nets in the next few weeks,” North said.

North said he hoped to have the project completed by early September.