At first glance, PlayGarden Park in downtown Fulton looks like a typical neighborhood park. Families stop by the playground. Children run through the fountain during hot summer afternoons. Visitors sit beneath the gazebo while traffic moves slowly around the courthouse square.
Then visitors start noticing the giant penny.
And the little houses with faces.
And the bronze figures tucked between sidewalks, benches and flower beds.
And that’s when PlayGarden Park becomes something else entirely.
Located in the heart of downtown Fulton, the park blends public art with plenty of room for play into one small corner of Itawamba County. Since opening in 2009, the park has become one of Fulton’s most recognizable destinations that still surprises first-time visitors.
Meet the Sculptures of Tom Otterness
The first thing many visitors notice is the collection of sculptures created by American artist Tom Otterness. An esteemed sculptor and one of the nation’s most prolific public artists, his work appears in public spaces around the world, including everywhere from “Life Underground” in New York’s subway stations to large-scale installations abroad. Fulton may seem like an unexpected place to find his artwork, but that’s part of what makes the park so memorable.
Throughout PlayGarden Park, bronze coins smile from unexpected places. Small houses appear to run across sidewalks or peek out from landscaping. Some sculptures sit quietly near benches while others gather around railings and pathways.
Near the center of the park, visitors will find two oversized figures standing together in the fountain area: a giant coin and a house linked arm in arm. During warmer months, the fountain becomes part splash pad, part photo backdrop and part escape from the Mississippi heat. No matter what time of year, the fun comes from spotting them all around the park.
More Than a Park Stop
Of course, PlayGarden Park is more than just its sculptures.
Families have access to playground equipment, open green space and a fenced play area. Picnic tables and seating areas give visitors places to rest between activities. The pavilion regularly hosts birthday parties, gatherings and community events throughout the year. During the summer, the water features become one of the busiest spots in downtown Fulton.
Its location also makes it easy to include as part of a larger day exploring Fulton. The park sits behind the Itawamba County Courthouse near shops, restaurants and other downtown attractions, making it a convenient stop for families, road trippers and anyone passing through Northeast Mississippi.
A Place Worth Discovering
Some attractions ask visitors to spend hours there. PlayGarden Park does something different.
You can stop for twenty minutes and leave with photos of giant pennies. You can spend an afternoon at the playground and fountain. You can sit in the shade and notice sculptures you missed the first time around.
PlayGarden Park proves that small spaces can leave a big impression. Tucked into downtown Fulton, it offers a mix of public art, family activities and memorable discoveries that make visitors want to take one more lap around the park before heading home.