Optimist Park: A Legacy of Community Vision and Recreation in Jackson County
By: Shelia Mader
Jackson County is indeed fortunate to have rec parks all over the county. The granddaddy of them all is located in Marianna. If you ask the young athletes who gravitate to the rec park on Caverns Road week after week through football, soccer, softball, and baseball seasons, they will quickly tell you, “We’re headed to “M.E.R.E.” That name has stuck from the day it opened.
What began as a dream shared around meeting tables by civic-minded leaders in Marianna has become one of Jackson County’s most treasured public assets. Optimist Park, also known as the M.E.R.E. complex, short for Marianna Educational Recreational Expo, stands today as a testament to collaboration, foresight, and a deep commitment to youth, sports, and community engagement.
The concept of the park was first born in the late 1980s, largely driven by members of the Marianna Optimist Club, who saw the need for a centralized recreational hub that could serve the children and families of the county. Prior to the park’s construction, local sports leagues were scattered across outdated and insufficient facilities, often struggling to accommodate the growing number of participants in baseball, softball, soccer, and other youth sports.
The vision quickly grew from a handful of baseball fields into something far more comprehensive: a multi-sport complex with fields, concession areas, walking trails, and room for regional tournaments and educational programming.
Support came from multiple sources, including the City of Marianna, Jackson County officials, private donors, local businesses, and largely from state grant funding and the Marianna Optimist Club. A key component of the project’s momentum was the park’s dual purpose, recreational and educational, which helped secure funding and rallied broader community support.
Construction on the M.E.R.E. site began in the early 1980s on a large parcel of land just north of downtown Marianna. The Optimist Club worked closely with city officials throughout the process, ensuring that the layout and scope of the project would meet both present and future needs.
Optimist Park was officially dedicated in 1984, with a community celebration that brought out hundreds of local residents, civic leaders, young athletes, and state leaders such as Sam “Big Sam” Mitchell. That opening marked more than just the debut of new fields—it signaled a new chapter for youth athletics and community events in Jackson County.
Since then, Optimist Park has hosted countless youth league games, tournaments, and educational fairs, drawing visitors from across the region and contributing to the local economy. District, regional, and state baseball and softball tournaments and one softball World Series had been held there. The park continues to be maintained and supported by city resources and volunteers, staying true to its roots in community effort.
As one longtime Optimist Club member, Mr. Ken Stoutamire reflected, “It wasn’t just about ballfields. It was about giving kids a place to grow, to compete, and to believe in themselves. And we built it together.”
M.E.R.E. (Marianna Educational and Recreational Expo) was not the term used by Ken and the project supporters. M.E.R.E. was a project name linked to funding; it was never intended to be the name of the actual park. Many, many times he could be heard asking kids, “Would you rather play at a ‘mere’ park or an Optimist Park?” Relying upon an abundance of patience, Ken detailed to each and every one he encountered the work and sacrifice that had gone into the building of the park. Many nights after the park was in full swing, Ken could be seen in the concession stand waiting on wide-eyed boys and girls. He took pride in asking the players when they came up if they did their best and always made sure that they knew that doing their best was much more important than wins and losses. Highly regarded by Marianna businessmen and fellow Optimists, Mr. Stoutamire’s ultimate goal was to help youngsters and he made sure the Marianna Optimist Club did its share of that. Dedicated and willing to put in the work and time in order to afford kids the best park possible, he was known and respected for his humility and consistent effort in making Marianna a better place to live by improving opportunities for youth.
His leadership and contributions are immortalized in the facility. In the movie, Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner’s character reflects upon what Ken Stoutamire must have felt in his heart as he diligently sought to construct the playing fields, “If you build it, they will come.” Build it they did, and the kids are still coming. He was one man who truly made a difference for the better.
Today, Optimist Park is more than just a recreational space, it’s a reflection of what can happen when a community unites behind a shared goal. What began as a dream to create opportunity for youth has grown into a vibrant part of Marianna life, proudly serving generations of athletes and families.