Funds from multimillion-dollar Tyson Farms settlement used for improvements in Cullman County’s Garden City

GARDEN CITY, Ala. (WIAT) – Enhancements at Garden City River Park and a new Garden City Fire Station are the first two major projects that have been completed using funds from a settlement against Tyson Farms.

In 2019, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sued Tyson Farms for violating the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act and the Environmental Management Act over an illegal wastewater discharge at the company’s Hanceville facility. In 2021, the company settled the lawsuit by paying $3 million.

“The environmental and economic impact on Garden City because of the illegal wastewater discharge was immense,” Marshall said in a statement. “I am glad that we have been able to help the people of Garden City begin to heal from this man-made disaster, and hope that this park will be a benefit to the community and allow others to come to this part of the state and witness for themselves how beautiful it is.”

The enhancements at Garden City River Park include a new kayak launch, restroom facility and trails, as well as more parking and improved public water access.

As part of the settlement, Marshall created a restitution fund oversight committee to oversee projects related to increasing recreational opportunities, enhance the state’s natural resources, improve public health in the impacted areas and better the environment. This committee, which also selects projects that are funded by the settlement, is led by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Commissioner Ed Poolos.

“We’re extremely thankful to the Attorney General, the Restitution Fund Oversight Committee and everyone involved in these projects,” Garden City Mayor Tim Eskew said. “We are certainly appreciative for all of the improvements at the park and for the new fire station.”

Two more projects to be funded by the settlement have also been announced. The locations of these projects will be in Colony, a community located in Cullman County, and in Sipsey near the Sipsey and Mulberry forks of the Black Warrior River.

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