Wilson receives $400,000 grant to build All-Children’s Splash Pad
The city of Wilson will receive a $400,000 Accessibility For Parks grant to construct an All-Children’s Splash Pad at Gillette Athletic Complex. The funding was provided by the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority through a competitive grant process. Wilson received the full amount requested.
The splash pad will include water elements for children, including special features for children with physical or intellectual disabilities. The exact site of the splash pad is being determined, although it will be adjacent to the All-Children’s Playground and Miracle Field. No timeline has been set for construction.
“Our department is very excited to receive the AFP grant,” said Wilson Parks and Recreation Director David Lee. “The splash pad will be a great addition to Gillette Athletic Park and will complement the Miracle Field and All Children’s Playground. This area of the complex will be a great destination for children of all abilities and needs.”
The Parks and Recreation Authority awarded $9.6 million in park accessibility grants for 21 projects across the state. The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund is administered through the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, which is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The program schedule was announced in March 2022, and completed applications were due to the division by Nov. 1. Local governments, including some public authorities, were eligible to apply for the matching grants.
Other parks projects beginning
The splash pad was just one of 18 parks projects discussed by Assistant City Manager Rodger Lentz at the City Council's meeting last week.
The city will be upgrading several neighborhood parks, building new facilities and making major improvements. The work has started in many areas, and the bulk of the work will be completed by 2024. Many of the projects have federal funding arranged by former U.S. Rep. GK Butterfield.
Highlights include:
- Work will begin this summer on a tennis and pickleball complex at Gillette Athletic Complex, including six uncovered pickleball courts, eight covered courts including two championship courts for tournament play, six tennis courts, and six multi-use courts that can be used for tennis or pickleball.
- Reid Street Community Center will be have two basketball courts renovated, improvements to Youth/Softball field, new paving for easier field
access, a new walking trail, a new multipurpose grass area and renovations to its pool deck.
• New playground equipment, signage, shelters and/or other improvements at these parks: Carolina Street Park; Five Points Park; Fleming Stadium playground; Freeman Park; Freeman Roundhouse Museum; Lamm Park; Lane Park; Pender Street Community Center Park; Vera Pope Resource Center; Warren Street Park; Washington Carver Heights Park; Weaver-Bailey Park; and Wedgewood Park Area.
|
 |
|
Track city projects here
The city has created a page on our website where you can see what's happening all around town. This resource is a great way to check in on all projects that the city is overseeing.
|
|
