County cuts ribbon on playground at Godwin Park

Henry Godwin and his family once owned a lot of land in northeast Madison County and farmed it for generations.

In recent years, the family has sold off some of the property, but they’ve held on to a good chunk of it as well.

In 2020, they leased a tract of land to Madison County for the purpose of a park in that part of the county, and for the past four years, families have been able to bring their children to play at Godwin Park.

On Saturday, June 22, members of the Godwin family gathered a couple weeks before their annual family reunion to cut a ribbon at the park.

Madison County Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Martin unveiled a new playground at the park, and he discussed upcoming plans for the park to improve their amenities.

“We’re going to put restrooms in, expand the parking and pave that and put ADA-compliant walkways throughout the park,” Martin said.

County Commissioner Harold Watson and Conservation Board Chair Milt Canovan were on hand for the ribbon cutting.

So was Sheila Godwin, who’s a County Commissioner but a great niece of Henry Godwin.

“We’re proud of our family name, and we’re glad that this park bears our name to continue our family’s legacy,” Godwin said.

In 2020, the family approached the County about donating the land for the park, and the two entities agreed on putting a park on the land that the County would maintain for a 30-year lease.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news