|
Wilson This Week -- May 8, 2025 |
|
Richard Frazier has been named Wilson’s Parks and Recreation Director. Frazier, who has worked in Wilson Parks and Recreation since 2000, was selected following a regional recruitment process. He succeeds long-time director David Lee, who retired on May 1.
Frazier is a veteran member of the Parks and Recreation team, joining the department in 2000 as an athletics supervisor. He has led the recreation program for the last 17 years as recreation manager and was one of the driving forces in developing Gillette Athletic Complex as a sports tourism destination. Frazier has extensive experience with large-scale athletic tournaments, including the Brittany Soccer Showcase, the WYSA Explosion Cup, Clover Cup tournament, and many NCAA and National Youth Soccer events.
“The Wilson Parks and Recreation Department has been a big part of my life in Wilson,” said Frazier. “I look forward to continuing to provide the citizens of Wilson with great recreation opportunities and leadership. Our staff does an exceptional job, and it is a privilege to lead them. I’m grateful for the opportunity and pleased to join other city leaders in making Wilson a great place to live, work and visit.”
|
|
Council meets May 15
The Wilson City Council will holds its monthly night meeting on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m., at Wilson City Hall, 112 Goldsboro St. E. The agenda isn't set, but it will include City Manager Rodger Lentz's presentation of a draft 2025-26 city budget. The budget must be adopted by June.
|
Watch meeting live
The public is always welcome to attend Council meetings, but we have also made them available to watch live online or after the fact. The link below will be live shortly before 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. Afterward it will be archived on our Vimeo channel.
|
|
 Volunteers clean 11 miles of Wilson waterways
We want to thank the nearly 70 youth and adults who volunteered for the Spring 2025 edition of Waters of Wilson, held last Saturday at five sites around the city!
Combined, they removed more than 1,100 pounds of trash from Lake Wilson, Toisnot Park and Norris Park, as well as streamways along Malpass Drive and Beacon Street.
The city's stormwater division has organized these cleanups that began in 2023. It's a basic premise -- clean waterways are better for water quality for both people and local wildlife. A clean lake is also more beautiful for recreation.
The next Waters of Wilson will be held in the fall. Watch this newsletter, our website and our social media channels for more information on registration.
Need last minute Mother's Day ideas? Check here
Your mother spent nine months getting ready for you, yet you are days away from Mother's Day with no plan? Don't worry, we can help with any moms in your life.
Stop by the Wilson Farmers & Artisan Market this Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro St. S. They have wonderful fresh fruit and veggies if you want to make a breakfast frittata or waffles with strawberries. They also have all kinds of crafts, woodwork and other gift ideas. Ahem, moms like flowers!
How about buying the supplies for a picnic and enjoying one of our beautiful parks? Treat your special ladies to a lakeside lunch or maybe one with a view of Wilson Rose Garden. If you haven't seen the forecast for this weekend, you'll be delighted with highs in the mid-70s and very little chance of rain.
If your moms are the sporty type, come out Sunday for a ride between 1-5 p.m. at the Wilson Recreation Center Miniature Train. It's a chance to relive some childhood memories for only $1 a passenger.
If music sounds good for their special day, the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House and African American Museum's 2025 Summer Concert Series continues from 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday. Dominic Melton will be providing the music this weekend, along with DJ Trouble. Bring a blanket or chair for the lawn seating. Everette Concession and Jeff Crabs will be the food options on site.
Whatever you choose to do, we wish all the moms a happy Mother's Day!
|
Band of Oz returns Thursday to Gig in the Park
One of the Carolinas' favorite beach bands for more than 50 years, The Band of Oz will perform this Thursday at Gig in the Park at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park
The free concert will be 6-9 p.m. at the park. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be for sale, and IDs will be required to purchase beer or wine.
The series features ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters from Select Interpreting Services signing at every concert. Look for the area to the right of the stage.
The Band of Oz was formed in 1967 as a part-time band playing fraternity parties and high school proms all over the South. In 1977 the band went on the road full time. For several years the group has been a guest on most of the major beach concerts in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia. The Band of Oz features a full horn section to total a dynamic eight-member group. They still perform well over 200 shows per year for corporate events, festivals, concerts, wedding receptions, and many other public and private events.
The concert could be cancelled or rescheduled by stormy weather. Check ComeSeeWilson.com after 11 a.m. Thursday for updates.
|
Annual garden festival blooms next weekend
Sunday in the Rose Garden will be next weekend. It's always amazing how many people don't know that Wilson is home to one of the state's largest public gardens, which was created, run and maintained by volunteers!
This event is a great time to visit, enjoy the spring flush amidst music, maybe buy ice cream and possibly win a door prize.
This event could be cancelled in case of stormy weather. Watch the City of Wilson's social media accounts for updates closer to May 18.
|
|
Looking ahead
As May winds down, there is plenty to look forward to around Wilson! Summer fun officially begins when the All-Children's Splash Pad at the J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex opens on May 24 for the season. And then on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day, city offices will be closed. We invite the community to join us that morning for the annual Memorial Day Service on the courthouse plaza.
|
|
|
|
|
