Perry Awarded Placemaking Grant to Transform Welcome Park into a Vibrant Community Hub

The City of Perry has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Placemaking Grant from the Georgia Cities Foundation (GCF), joining nine Georgia communities recognized for their efforts to strengthen public spaces and enhance quality of life.

This year’s grant funding, awarded to communities participating in the Georgia Economic Placemaking Collaborative (GEPC), will support Perry’s continued improvements to Welcome Park, located at the gateway into Historic Downtown Perry.

As part of Phase 2 of the Welcome Park enhancements, the City will use the placemaking grant to purchase a picnic table that complements the musical instruments to be installed during the project’s initial phase. The table will provide families and visitors with a comfortable place to rest, enjoy a snack, and gather together.

“The improvements at Welcome Park help us create a public space that reflects Perry’s identity as a welcoming and connected community,” said Alicia Hartley, City of Perry Downtown Manager. “By adding amenities that encourage people to pause, play, and gather, we are strengthening both our downtown experience and our residents’ quality of life.”

The enhancements support the City of Perry’s strategic focus on downtown development, quality of life, and the activation of underutilized public spaces. Once complete, Welcome Park will serve not only as an entry point into downtown but as a vibrant hub of creativity, activity, and connection for residents and visitors alike.

The Placemaking Grant Program is funded through the Georgia Cities Foundation and supported by the Georgia Power Foundation. Administered through the GEPC, the program provides participating cities with training, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities to advance place-based economic development strategies.

Welcome Park is located at 1033 Macon Road in Perry.