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News & Record (Greensboro, North Carolina)
GREENSBORO — A dog park here, a disc golf course there.
Thanks in large part to millions of dollars in voter-approved bonds, Greensboro Parks and Recreation's planning division is overseeing a half dozen projects that will start or finish construction this year.
"Parks and Recreation has been incredibly lucky to have the support of the community. People love their parks," said Nasha McCray, director of Greensboro Parks and Recreation. "That support has allowed us to spruce up our facilities citywide with great new amenities."
Here are the park projects in your area.
Northeast
Keeley Park, one of the newest regional parks, has quickly become a community favorite. From its free sprayground to the pump track to the community garden, there's something for everybody.
Keeley Park is entering a new phase of development, with the help of more than $1 million in 2008 voter-approved bonds and a $250,000 grant from the U.S. National Park Service's Land and Water Conversation Fund.
The park will get a new mountain biking course and get a professionally-designed disc golf course.
"We've found that local disc golf players will travel up to an hour away for a good course," said Shawna Tiller, Parks and Recreation planning supervisor. "We're hoping they stay right here in Greensboro to play at Keeley."
Construction could begin as soon as the fall.
Southeast
Construction is nearly complete on the $3.25 million Ruth Wicker Tribute to Women at Barber Park. The Charlotte-based Studio Displays Inc. is also working to develop a community-engagement process for the designs for the space.
The project, spurred by a memorial gift from Wicker's estate, will include a 3,500-square-foot multi-purpose meeting space. Construction is expected to be complete this spring.
Around the corner from Barber Park, Gateway Gardens will have construction of its visitor's center completed.
Southwest
Both Hester and Griffin parks will get upgrades.
At Hester, a paved walking trail will be added around the lake, and two athletic fields will get new turf.
"Hester Park has some of our most frequently used fields. People from all over the city travel to that area to play soccer there," said Vonda Martin, Parks and Recreation planner.
The project, expected to cost more than $1 million, will also create a new park entrance and improve the parking area and building façade at Trotter Recreation Center. The park will also get a new fitness course, approved by city residents as part of the 2017 Participatory Budgeting process.
Construction is expected to begin in late summer.
Work has already begun at Griffin Park. The park is getting a sought-after dog park.
The $540,000 project will also add a picnic shelter. The work was paid for with 2008 bonds.
North
One of the city's neighborhood parks is getting a unique renovation. Henry Street Park will become Greensboro's first intergenerational park.
The park will have elements that appeal to all ages, including a swing garden, a sport court and walking trails. There will also be new exercise equipment and new neighborhood connection to make accessing the park more convenient for nearby residents.
The $388,000 project was funded by proceeds of the sale of portion of property to the nearby Abbotswood community. Construction is slated to begin this summer.
Amanda Lehmert is a communications specialist with the City of Greensboro. She can be reached at [email protected]
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