New pavilion unveiled at Wildflower Park

RIDGELAND — City officials and tourism leaders on Tuesday unveiled a new pavilion at the Ridgeland Wildflower Field and Art Park, offering visitors a sheltered space at the popular attraction off I-55 55 at Jackson Street.

Mayor Gene McGee called the award-winning park, located at 411 W Jackson St, a “gem for Ridgeland” and said it has been a labor of love for Explore Ridgeland and Keep Ridgeland Beautiful.

The $15,000 project is one of the first tourism development projects funded by Explore Ridgeland, the city’s tourism agency. Chris Chapman, the agency's outgoing president and CEO, said the goal is to encourage travelers who stop at the nearby Jackson Street exit to spend more time in the city.

“Maybe this becomes a forever pit stop and might encourage some families to see what else there is to do in Ridgeland,” Chapman said.

Planning for the park began in 2017, and it officially opened in 2020, said Jan Richardson with Keep Ridgeland Beautiful.

Future plans include adding an educational plaque at the pavilion with information about the park's flowers and wildlife.

The pavilion was built by Copper Sculptors, and Jackson-based artist Gavin Bird painted a mural on the back wall.