Building a park for the community that tells a story is Rehoboth United Methodist Church’s dream.

 

Rehoboth, a Dyersburg District church, has already made a lot of progress in building Ark Park, its newest outreach ministry. The park will be a safe place for families and children to picnic, play and learn.

 

The project has created a lot of renewed energy in the church and has attracted several new families to the church.

 

The ministry began as the dream of a member, Jason Harper, one of the church’s trustees. Mr. Harper, who owns a construction company in Dyersburg, imagined that the Rehoboth congregation could provide a park for the surrounding communities, and not just a park, but a park that tells a story.

 

Today, some of the pieces are already in

enlarge>> The Noah's Ark playstation is the park's centerpiece.

place–the Noah’s ark play station, some playground equipment, a sand volleyball court, and “ark” animals stationed around the area.

 

But the Ark Park is a long-term project, so much more is envisioned. When completed, it will have a picnic pavilion, a quarter-mile walking track, water fountain, night-time lighting, and improved landscaping.

 

The centerpiece is a Noah’s ark play station. It is a two-story structure with swings, glider, sliding board, and sliding pole built especially for the younger children.

 

The mast of the ark forms a cross and stands high as a reminder of the grace of God and the redemption of Christ.

 

In addition to the ark, there are several other pieces of playground equipment both for younger and older children. Swings, teeter-totters, riding animals, and monkey bars are already in place. When completed, there will also be baby swings and a merry-go-round.

 

A sand volleyball court has been constructed for the older youth, and eventually there will be a basketball court and a quarter-mile walking track surrounding the park. A picnic area is being built, as well.

 

At various places within the park, people will be able to learn about the story of Noah, a story which not only relates God’s judgment on the world, but also God’s covenant grace.

 

As people enter the park they are greeted by full sized, life-like giraffes and Genesis 6:8 which says, “Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.”

 

The Rehoboth church members have contributed in many ways to make the park a reality. Several fund-raisers drew interest from other folk in the community as well.