To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of Southside Park’s demise are apparently greatly exaggerated.

In fact, a significant overhaul is in the works to make the park more family friendly.

The Cassopolis Village council approved $4,000 for a portable picnic table, pedestal grill with in-ground post, concrete to set the grill, a drinking fountain and six sets of chains/seats for the swing set.

The council also approved $2,000 to resurface the basketball court once the water drainage issues had been addressed.

Both were unanimous votes.

Southside Park had been an issue for the village since the council voted to sell the property to Community Mills in the summer of 2015 and then changed its mind several times, in part due to an outcry from citizens who live on the south side of the village.

Groups in support of saving Southside Park, which the council tentatively approved moving to a new location, are now joining forces to raise money to help make improvements to the park.

The Southside Park Group will be host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon April 23. There will also be a clean-up day at the park from 9 a.m. to noon.

Junior Oliver, who was recently appointed to the Main Street Committee, will be host a flea market from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 23 and 24 with all the proceeds going to Southside Park improvements.

In other actions:

• The council approved its annual appointments, including Ben Anderson as the Department of Public Works superintendent, David Johnson and Cynthia Jackson-Ash to both the finance and personnel committees and Geraldine Sims to the head of the parks board.

• Will offer Waste Management its refuse and recycling contract.

• The council extended its lease with Borgess-Lee Memorial through the end of 2016.

• Approved a resolution in support of writing a grant for rubber mulch for Southside Park.

• The council appointed Lake Stone Law its attorney.