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The Rotary Club of Selma and the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a musical park in Ward 7 on Monday.

The Rotary Club of Selma used a $5,000 district Rotary grant to buy and install plastic musical playground equipment at Ronald C. Rutledge Memorial Park, located in Selma City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas’ Ward 7.

Several Rotary Club members participated in the ceremony along with Thomas, who said a playground was needed in her ward.

“I appreciate the Rotary Club,” Thomas said. “It means that we’re trying to stabilize the community. It takes a lot of hard work to revitalize the neighborhood. We’re trying to make the neighborhood a nice place.”

The plan came together last year when Thomas spoke to the Rotary Club about needing a park in her Ward. Jerria Martin and James Steele, who were Rotary Co-Presidents at the time, worked with Thomas. Chris Fails is now the Rotary President.

“An investment in our youth is an investment in our future,” Martin said.

Added Steele: “The Rotary Club planted a seed. We can grow Selma. We can help our youth.”