By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma manufacturer Bush Hog donated a zero turn lawn mower Thursday to Paul Grist Park.

The park was closed from mid-October until it reopened Dec. 3 under the county. During that time, Alabama State Parks removed virtually all its equipment to other state parks.

Dallas County Commissioner Roy Moore was happy to see Bush Hog step up and all keep one of the state’s oldest parks maintained.

“The state basically had taken everything away from the park that was there to maintain the park,” Moore said. “It was very instrumental in Bush Hog donating that zero turn lawn mower. It’s amazing how many people care about Camp Grist.”

Bush Hog Customer Service Manager Jule Booker called Moore a few weeks ago about the donation.

She said the company followed the park’s closing in the media and wanted to help out after it reopened.

“With Bush Hog being in Selma and Dallas County we had a particular interest in the closing of Camp Grist. As we heard that the county wanted to open the facility, we thought that was a great idea,” Booker said.

Bush Hog President Gerald Worthington also thought it was important to help out the park.

“We are really proud of the commission for stepping up and taking care of the park after the state had vacated it. A lot of our employees use the facility,” Worthington said.

“A lot of folks in Selma use it so we thought that we would do what we could to help them out. They’re doing their part; we are trying to do our part.”

Anita Ellison helped create the Save Paul Grist State Park page on Facebook.

She said now that the park has reopened, there will soon be regular meetings and volunteer days for those who want to help maintain it.

“I have really been amazed at the outcome of people saying, ‘Hey, what can we do to help?”” Ellison said. “I was shocked when I got the call that Bush Hog had donated. It is totally amazing.”

Save Paul Grist State Park will host an informational meeting Jan. 16 at the park’s lake pavilion for anyone interested in volunteering. Look for updates on Facebook should there be inclement weather.

For more information, call Ellison at (334) 872-5846.