As Project Manager and Public Works Director for the City of Waynesboro, MS, I was responsible for overseeing the Parks and Recreation Department. When I first arrived, the city’s ballfields were in poor condition—overbooked, overgrown with weeds, littered with debris, hard infields due to overuse of quick-dry material, unmarked outfield fences, and broken scoreboards.
With a commitment to creating safe, well-maintained spaces for our children, I led multiple improvement projects that transformed the city’s sports facilities. Working with the mayor’s support, we launched the Fields of Waynesboro initiative. Beginning with two full-size soccer fields, we gave the soccer league its own home, freeing up the baseball fields and making it possible to host tournaments and schedule games throughout the week. These improvements helped the city secure major events, including the Dixie Youth State Tournament, the Babe Ruth State Tournament, and numerous other league tournaments.
Key Accomplishments:
- Restored ballfields with proper field conditioning, removing overgrowth, hauling debris, and adding new professional-grade infield sand.
- Installed yellow safety lining on all outfield fences.
- Regraded parking lots, added sand gravel lining, and paved the entrance roadways for smoother access.
- Replaced outdated scoreboards with modern LED boards.
- Upgraded stadium lighting with LED fixtures for brighter, safer night play.
In total, I managed three sports complexes with 10 baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The two large soccer fields were also configured to host up to six smaller fields each, making it possible to run multiple recreational games at once. These enhancements provided the community with a safe, modern, and versatile athletic complex that continues to benefit Waynesboro families and athletes.
