Downtown Dothan is going forward with plans to enhance a green space on Foster Street called Porter Park. The park is the center of a Public Private partnership reaching far into the community. The City of Dothan is working with The Downtown Group to assist with the design and implementation of the beautification of this North Foster Street destination. Cindy Thomas, Park Chairperson says “this is a wonderful opportunity to help create an interesting environment downtown where families can congregate. Contributions can be made from our wish list which includes a pergola, benches, trees, flower beds, statuary, bedding plants, a wall fountain and trees.” The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce has adopted this park as its 2010 Spirit of Service project slated for Saturday, April 24th. Leadership Dothan has already started to make its contribution with children’s handprints on tiles. The tiles will be installed on the wall in the park. Keith Givens is contributing to the park, offering his neighboring plot of land by the Old Bank on N. Foster Street for development in the final plans. The Dothan Downtown Redevelopment Authority is also contributing to the Porter Park Project. For more information on Porter Park contact The Downtown Group at 793-3097 or visit our website at www.thedowntowngroup.com.

Dothan joins the celebration as the The State of Alabama and the Alabama Tourism Department recently declared 2010 The Year of Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns. On April 24th The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce will focus The Spirit of Service Day activities around the beautification of Porter Park on North Foster Street.  On May 1st , festivities center in the heart of downtown with Mural City Art Fest. The Festival kicks off at 10am with the dedication of Dothan’s newest music mural “Sacred Harp.” The mural located in the 200 block of North Foster is the third in a series of music murals. At 1pm The Downtown Group and The Dothan Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the dedication of a historic marker provided by the Alabama Tourism Department. The dedication ceremony will take place on the greenway in the Civic Center Parking lot.

Looking for something new to do downtown? Visit The Good News Shop at 148 N. Foster Street. Shop Hours are Monday-Wednesday 10:00 -1:00, Fridays 9:00-2:30. The shop is filled with recycled clothing, furniture and accessories. Volunteers from The Episcopal Church of Nativity run the shop and they also provide financial assistance. For information contact 334-792-8742.1

The Nature Gallery is offering budding artists the chance to learn more about watercolor painting. A six-week course in watercolors begins on Wednesday, March 17 from 9am - 12pm. For more information call (334) 671-2050 or visit The Nature Gallery, located at 156 North Foster Street.