Brady Revisits Alachua, Reflects On Decades Of Community Building

ALACHUA – Former longtime Recreation and Parks Director Hal Brady recently returned to Alachua, reconnecting with familiar faces and observing the continued evolution of the city’s recreation programs and facilities. His visit offered a chance to reflect on his more than 30 years of service to the community.

Brady and his wife, Cindy, were in Alachua to assist their son, Jack, who had been hospitalized. During their stay, the couple attended community events, visited recreation facilities, and received an update on the plans for the new Cleather H. Hathcock Sr. Community Center. The visit also provided unexpected reunions and demonstrated the strong community connections that have long defined Alachua.

In a letter sent to the city after his visit, Brady expressed gratitude to the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, residents, businesses, churches, and city officials for their warm welcome. “I want to thank the Alachua Chamber of Commerce, the people and individual corporations and churches for being so nice to Cindy and me on our last visit to the City of Alachua,” Brady wrote.

Brady reflected on the programs, facilities, and community partnerships developed during his tenure. He recalled the Chamber of Commerce's collaboration with the city on events such as trick-or-treating on Main Street, Christmas celebrations, and parades. He also highlighted the expansion of recreation facilities, including ballfields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, accessible walkways, restrooms, a skateboard park, and a splash park, along with improvements at community parks like Maude Lewis Park, Criswell Park, Welch Park, Skinner Park, Theater Park, and the Swick House.

The city’s recreation programs under Brady’s leadership also attracted visitors from outside Alachua, hosting youth baseball and softball World Series events, national championships, tournaments, wrestling, and concerts featuring performers like Bo Diddley.

Brady noted current improvements across the city, including work at the recreation complex, Legacy Park, Criswell Park, Welch Park, and Hitchcock and Theater parks. He also observed enhanced ballfield lighting and plans for the replacement Hathcock Community Center. “What we pray for is the fields and buildings remain maintained and renovated,” Brady wrote. “We were happy to see the improvements and enhancements in progress everywhere.”

City Manager Rodolfo Valladares joined Brady during a senior bingo gathering and presented architectural renderings of the planned Hathcock Community Center. Brady praised the plans, stating, “It is an absolute beauty, and I’m looking forward to seeing the grand opening! I’m incredibly proud of the effort, thought, and attention to detail that have gone into this project.”

The community’s support extended to the Bradys personally. Men from Alachua Methodist Church built an accessible ramp for their son, and Al Mincey of Mincey Site Prep constructed a driveway to improve access. Brady also thanked Damon Messina and the city’s Recreation and Culture staff for their assistance. After two years in North Dakota, the Bradys have moved to Georgia, placing them closer to Alachua.

Brady’s visit coincided with other community gatherings, including the Welch Family Reunion. This reunion celebrated connections spanning generations, recognizing individuals like Rose Brown, 87, an early graduate of A.L. Mebane High School, and Willie D. Bright, 92, a Douglass High School graduate from High Springs. Their combined 179 years represent deep ties to the educational and community histories of Alachua and High Springs.

Brady concluded his letter by acknowledging the thousands of volunteers who helped establish many of Alachua’s traditions and programs, writing, “To the thousands of volunteers who started everything in Alachua. Thank You and God Bless you all.” His hope for Alachua remains consistent with his philosophy during his years with the city: that it continues to provide opportunities for residents of all ages and circumstances to participate in what the community calls the “Good Life.”