Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star file photoMeridian Museum of Art Director Kate Cherry stands in front of city-owned property expected to develop into a park associated with the museum. 

Plans for Meridian’s next downtown green space appear ready to advance headed to the next City Council meeting Tuesday. 

The 3,000-square-foot city-owned land on Seventh Street across from Meridian Museum of Art is expected to receive approval from the majority of the City Council, clearing the way for upgrades to the property currently more of an eyesore than a work of art. 

Pending council approval, the city park associated with the city’s art museum would blend arts, nature and educational experiences for the community, especially children. Meridian Museum of Art Director Kate Cherry discussed the park concept with city leaders during a City Council work session Monday, an effort to explain planned city projects. 

Cherry said the park will be designed to include a water feature and a color wheel to include primary and secondary colors. The park centerpiece will include an arts-oriented sculpture and have four distinct garden sections. Cherry said area schools will have an opportunity to have students contribute to the park. 

“I think they can take ownership of the park,” Cherry said. “It will help show they’ll always be a part of Meridian.” 

The park can help teacher about types of colors, plant types and other natural materials. 

“The idea is for it to be a sustainable landscape,” said Neil Couvillion, a landscape architect with Couvillion Design + Build, the Starkville-based company expected to design the park. 

As the nearly $50 million Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience prepares to open in April a half-mile from the city museum and proposed park location, city, community and business leaders plan efforts to enhance creative and recreational synergy as the new museum plans to bring an average of more than 12,000 visitors to downtown per month. 

The park could also contribute to the community’s contribution to the Any Given Child initiative, a partnership with John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Meridian Public School District, Mississippi State University – Riley Center for the Performing Arts and other organizations to provide access to arts to every student in the school district. 

“Teachers can use the park as a tool,” Cherry said. 

Meridian Chief Administrative Officer Richie McAlister said during the work session the proposed city park will help expand the enhanced quality of life footprint downtown. 

“This is a partnership with the arts community,” he said. 

Expected costs for the park will reach $12,000 for design, materials and other expenses. Use of city employees for project labor will help limit expenses. 

Materials for the park will also match planned $23,000 upgrades to the Meridian Museum of Art exterior and first-floor interior, expected to begin in May. Efforts to upgrade the museum will include landscaping and a brick garden courtyard, a project funded by the Riley Foundation. Plans exist for future phases of more upgrades to the museum, a former Carnegie Library listed on the National Register of Historic Places.