NEWS RELEASE
February 22, 2018
For Immediate Release
City Dedicates Playground to Leisure Services Legend
SAVANNAH, GA (February 22, 2018)— Today the City of Savannah dedicated a playground to retired City employee, Joseph C. Shearouse Sr., who dedicated his career to providing leisure activities and recreational events for citizens and visitors.
Shearouse worked for the City for more than three decades, from 1983 to 2016. During his tenure as the Leisure Services Bureau Chief he worked to build community centers and playgrounds, enhance parks and athletic facilities, and organize events for people of all ages. He was instrumental in bringing the Savannah Bananas baseball team to Grayson Stadium, spearheading the restoration of the Coffee Bluff Marina, constructing the Forsyth Park Band Shell, renovating the Tompkins Community Center, shaping the new Cultural Arts Center and much more.
The playground is located in Hull Park near the 500 block of East 54th Street. Shearouse was surrounded by family as the City unveiled the new playground sign.
“This is where I brought my children before I worked for the City and it was the first project I worked on,” said Shearouse. “More importantly this type of facility was one of the most important things I did because this reaches out to the neighborhood and neighbors get to meet each other and meet their kids. The multimillion dollars projects are great and needed but I think these have a much greater impact on quality of life and that’s important.”The dedication was attended by Mayor DeLoach, Mayor Pro Tem Carol Bell, District Four Adlerman Julian Miller and District Five Alderwoman Dr. Estella Shabazz. Many current and former City employees also attended the event including former city manager Michael Brown, and former co-workers alderwomen Bell and Shabazz.
