Phenix City renames Idle Hour Park

The Phenix City Council renamed its premier city park Tuesday morning in honor of the family that sold the land to the city in the 1940s.

Idle Hour Park will now be Martin-Idle Hour Park, named after former movie theater owner Roy Martin and his family.

In 1949 when Martin sold the park, stadium, airport amusement rides and facilities in north Phenix City to the city for $225,000, then Mayor Homer Cobb said the park would be named for Martin.

“We are 67 years late,” Council member Jim Cannon said after the council approved the move 5-0.

The 237 acres appraised for $2.6 million in 1949, according to the resolution.

Martin owned Martin Theaters, which had movie theaters across the south. It was the forerunner to Carmike Cinemas.

The council also voted to name the fellowship hall in the Idle Hour Community Center after longtime city employee MaxWilkes, who died in October 2012, not long after unsuccessfully running for mayor.

Wilkes was everything from a Parks and Recreation director to council member.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 9:57 AM with the headline "Phenix City renames Idle Hour Park."