Renovations begin at Legends Park in Petersburg

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- A historic park in Petersburg will soon get a new look.

Renovations are underway at Legends Park, which the city's parks and recreation department said will have three basketball courts, four tennis courts (with pickleball lines) and a kids zone when construction ends in a couple of months.

The roughly $660,000 project is funded through Community Development Block Grants, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Cameron Foundation and the city of Petersburg.

Parks and Recreation Department director Marquis Allen said the city wanted to invest in the park for its strong ties to the community.

"I believe it's multiple generations that’s used this space, and it’s been a connection," Allen said. "A lot of our citizens are still here. They may have grew up in this park in the ‘70s and the ‘80s. So, to be able to see that revitalization is exciting.”

Allen said Petersburg High School sports teams will use the new facilities. And, they'll be playing on hallowed grounds.

"This is where a lot of our legends played," Allen said. "The reason it’s called Legends Park is, a lot of folks that came through the City of Petersburg ... and played at this park. And they went into further endeavors, whether it was college or professional athletics.”

Allen said the city's plans for the park don't end here. Later phases of renovations will include a splash pad and an adaptive playground.