Carver Park to be renamed in honor of Former Mayor Pro Tem, Evelyn Turner Pugh

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — The Columbus City Council is set to meet Tuesday evening and on the agenda: the renaming of an East Columbus park. Carver Park is set to be renamed after former Mayor Pro Tem Evelyn Turner Pugh.

Pugh was a Columbus native who served on city council for over 30 years and committed her career to her community. She served long past her diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, passing away in July 2021.

Pugh volunteered for many community organizations and was active in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta.

Civics was important to her, and just being a dedicated public servant. She served 31 years on the city council. Just an amazing lady. She dedicated so much of her work to public service.

Toyia Tucker, Columbus City Councilor, District 4

But the name change isn’t the only thing citizens can expect at the park.

Trees Columbus received a grant. They’re replacing 100 trees out here, new pine trees. We did a project just this year doing tree planting. We will have splash pads, we’re redoing part of the facility and addressing the lake.

Toyia Tucker, Columbus City Councilor, District 4

Councilwoman Tucker says the renovations to the park will make all the difference when it comes to reducing crime in the area.

We did have a lot of issues when I first came to office. Sadly, one of the things that had to occur was changing the hours and closing the back gate to address some of the concerns that the citizens had. Since then, crime has reduced, honestly, by 99 percent. We have not had the problems that we had when I first got into office, as we do today.

Toyia Tucker, Columbus City Councilor, District 4

The park is currently open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed on the weekends. Tucker says there are plans to extend the hours during the summer, having the park close before dark. During the winter months, she says the park would operate at the original hours.

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