New Inclusive Playgrounds Slated for Five City Parks
Perry, GA · October 8, 2026
Between the faint hum of rides firing up on Larry Walker Parkway and the steady overcast morning sky, fall fair season is officially here. Leave a few extra minutes for the commute before the midway rush begins.
The Lead
City leaders are moving ahead with plans to install brand-new playground equipment across five neighborhood parks in the coming months. The upgrades will bring modern, inclusive play structures to Oldfield, Redmond, Woodland, Willie T. Williams, and Barbara Calhoun parks. The city removed older playsets across these sites last year due to deteriorating equipment and accessibility shortfalls, sparking calls from neighborhood families for updated spaces where children of all physical abilities can play together. Perry City Council allocated up to $200,000 from 2018 SPLOST funds to finance the installations, prioritizing equipment designed for ages two to twelve with sensory elements and wheelchair-friendly features. City staff received nine competitive contractor bids for the project and are finalizing evaluations to determine equipment concepts and installation schedules before winter sets in.
Local Pulse
State Fair Opens Gates on Larry Walker Parkway Community Expect heavier afternoon delays along Interstate 75 and Larry Walker Parkway as the eleven-day annual event begins.
City Announces Columbus Day Solid Waste Schedule City Hall Regular trash routes run uninterrupted on Monday, though bulk and yard waste collection pauses until the following week.
School Board Adopts Attendance Boundary Plan Schools The approved attendance maps rezone hundreds of elementary and middle schoolers ahead of the Kathleen campus opening next year.
Today's Outlook
- High 84°F · Low 57°F — Overcast
- A light morning layer will keep you comfortable before mild, cloud-covered afternoon warmth takes over.
What's On Around Town
Today
37th Annual Georgia National Fair Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter (401 Larry Walker Pkwy), 3:00–10:00 PM · $15 Midway rides, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and classic fair eats.
International Aerospace Art Exhibition & Live Sketching Museum of Aviation (1942 Heritage Blvd), Warner Robins, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Free Watch juried aviation artists paint and sketch historic aircraft galleries live.
Georgia National Fair Opening Ceremony Reaves Arena (401 Larry Walker Pkwy), 4:00 PM · Paid Kickoff celebration recognizing youth livestock champions with refreshments and historical tributes.
Tomorrow
- Georgia National Fair 5K Packet Pickup Perry Welcome Center (808 Carroll St), 1:00–5:00 PM · Free
- Hanson in Concert Reaves Arena (401 Larry Walker Pkwy), 7:30 PM · Paid
Saturday
- Georgia National Fair 5K & Mascot Mini-Mile Perry City Hall Lawn (808 Carroll St), 8:00–10:00 AM · $40
- Georgia 4-H State Dairy Show Foster Rhodes Arena (401 Larry Walker Pkwy), 9:00 AM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- Perry Drug Company
- Founded in 2002 by Ben and Evonne Bartlett at 1036 Macon Road, this independent staple endures by knowing customers by name rather than barcode. The couple built a consultation-first counter where three pharmacists provide individualized medication reviews and doorstep deliveries across town.
Perry Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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