Dozens of downtown advocates gathered Wednesday for the grand opening of the First Presbyterian Community Park, located on Clark Street, directly next to the Newton County Visitor's Center in Covington.

The park sits on the former site of the Community Food Pantry, and was built by the church to beautify the downtown and give residents a place to sit and relax or enjoy lunch.

Several groups donated to the project, including Bonanza Prodcutions, which produces "The Vampire Diaries" and gave $1,000 to the park building fund. Mayfield Hardware Company and United Bank each donated a bench, the city of Covington gave recycled mulch and Social Circle Ace Hardware donated the use of a bobcat. Hayes Furniture, Hands on Newton and others also aided the project.

Oxford College art students painted the mural udner the director of alumna Maria Veliotis.

First Presbyterian Youth Pastor Dan Walden said he hopes the park will be added to in the future.