State Park Makeover

Major renovations and a multimillion-dollar investment are headed to Wall Doxey State Park, according to Mississippi State Parks Administrator Gary Ray.

Speaking to the Holly Springs Rotary Club at Rust College on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Ray announced that the state agency is in the planning phases of an overhaul that will invest $10 million to $12 million into the Marshall County park.

“We are currently in the planning stages,” Ray said. “The campground, as you see it now, in the very near future will be totally unrecognizable.

It’s going to be absolutely gorgeous when we get done with this.” The investment follows recent recovery and beautification milestones at the park. Ray commended local staff members who restored Wall Doxey after heavy damage caused by last winter’s severe ice storm, noting the grounds have returned to pre-storm conditions. He also highlighted the recent completion of six or seven renovated cabins that he called “some of the most beautiful cabins in the state of Mississippi.” Beyond lodging and camping, younger visitors will also see new additions. Ray said the park recently secured a grant to build a “gigantic playground.” “Out of all the parks that I supervise and all the parks in the state, this is probably my favorite park in the state,” Ray said, urging local residents to take ownership of the facility. “This is your park. It’s not our park. It’s every one of y’all’s park. Come out, visit it, come use it.” The presentation also highlighted upcoming seasonal festivities. Ray invited the community to the park’s annual Halloween Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, from 6 p.m. To 10 p.m.

During the festival, campers transform their campsites into elaborate, illuminated displays.

“If you’ve never been, you owe it to yourself to drive through and just look at the decorations these people do,” Ray said. “It’s insane; I’ve never seen anything like it.”