Dirt work ongoing for city’s new nature trail

RIDGELAND — A $4 million project to improve water detention and build a nature trail at the south end of Freedom Ridge Park is ongoing along Lake Harbour Drive west of the railroad.

“We are increasing the detention capacity to help with downstream flooding as well as developing nature trails with interpretive signage to educate about plants and wildlife,” Public Works Director Alan Hart said. 

The work is visible on the western end of Lake Harbour Drive just before the I-55 bridge.

Hart called the addition to Freedom Ridge Park an “eco-tourism” project. 

The work began in August 2024 and is scheduled for completion in May 2026. Hemphill Construction is the contractor.

The project carries $4,588,302.40 price tag and is funded with federal ARPA and MCWI grant funding, along with a grant from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, Hart said. Hart said $1 million for the project comes from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, and the rest is split evenly between ARP and MCWI funds.