Eagleville High School graduate Michael Jenkins wanted to serve his community so he helped update the Eagleville City Park.

“I frame for a living,” Jenkins said, adding, “To be able to go in the community where I grew up is really a blessing.”

Sheriff Robert Arnold said Jenkins was one of 10 Rutherford County Adult Detention Center inmates who spent three weeks improving the park before the upcoming spring season.

“This project was a way for the 10 inmates to give back to the community and save the taxpayers’ money,” Sheriff Arnold said. “I think they did an outstanding job.”

Eagleville Mayor Sam Tune estimated the inmates’ work amounted to about $50,000 in labor costs. The city paid for the supplies.

Detention Capt. Derrell Cagle said the inmates built a ramp for the gazebo and stained it, framed the awning, cleaned out the fence row and removed dead trees, painted the picnic tables, painted several handicapped parking spots, cleaned and painted the kitchen area, framed the doors to the storage shed and added fencing around the Dumpster. Sheriff’s Maintenance Sgt. Joe Scott and Deputy Jason Fuqua supervised the project.

Mayor Tune said the inmates performed phenomenal work.

“If we had hired a professional crew, I don’t know if they could have done a better job,” Mayor Tune said as he admired the work.

Jenkins said he frames for a living and performed the work professionally. His former teachers and Eagleville children will use the park.

“Not everyone in jail has the opportunity to do this,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins wanted the park to look nice for residents and visitors, including his daughter, Aislin, who will be 1 year old in June.

“I hope I can bring her out here and let her play ball out here,” Jenkins said.