Children around Selma will soon have an opportunity to enjoy a new playground at River Front Park.

The Butterfly Park will feature a scenic view of the river and Edmund Pettus Bridge while giving the kids plenty to do outdoors.

“There’s not a whole lot of places out young people can go,” said former Selma Mayor George Evans, who spearheaded the project. “We need more parks like this throughout our city. This is just a pioneer piece and could be the start of many recreation parks in our city.”

Ground was broken back in October, but Evans said the park is nearly complete.

“I’m very excited about it,” Evans said. “It’s something that we’ve talked about. I feel real good about it.”

Evans said his hopes is for more parks and recreation to be added around the city to offer the community more places to take their kids and enjoy some time outside.

“This small piece will lead to something bigger down the road,” Evans said. “It’s just another piece to the puzzle of trying to create more recreation for young people and some type of family environment.”

Selma Mayor Darrio Melton said he is excited to see the project near completion.

“I think it’s great that we’re developing that river front to have a wholesome place for families to come and be close to the water and have memories together in historic Selma,” Melton said. “Even tourists, they can come in and tour the city and folks that stay will have a place that they can take their families that have small kids to a fun place that they can enjoy the outdoors.”

Melton said he is looking forward to all of the downtown and riverfront area being revitalized in the coming months and years.

“We’re looking forward to the completion of the river front as we move forward with projects from that area,” Melton said.

Evans said the playground should be completed in the coming days, and he plans to set up a time with Melton to hold a grand opening.

“I’m just excited to see it come to fruition,” Evans said.

Selma Butterfly Park by the Riverfront is located along the banks of the Alabama River near the intersection of Franklin Street and Water Avenue.