Five years after Davie County residents voted overwhelmingly to pass the Parks and Recreation general obligation bonds, construction is now underway on Phase One of the new Davie County Community Park being built at the former site of Davie County High School.
“Today is a day of celebration and today we celebrate community ownership and a partnership that is fundamental in serving the ever-changing needs of the Davie community …,” said Terry Renegar, chairman of the Davie County Board of Commissioners, during the groundbreaking ceremony. “In 2014, the residents of Davie County voted overwhelmingly to spend $5 million to make this facility the centerpiece of its recreation plan. …It has been a lot of work ….. there have been a lot of hurdles, but those challenges have been met and the hurdles overcome.”
Davie County Community Park Groundbreaking
The Davie County Community Park project is a 3-year culmination of extensive resident input, park design master planning, and construction preparation. According to Paul Moore, director of recreation and parks, Davie County’s public park needs survey return rate of 22.8% was one of the highest return rates in the nation for a community population of 40,000-50,000. “Anytime a controlled survey reaches double-digits, you have statistically valid results. Hence, Davie residents were paying very close attention!”
“From contemplation and initial dialogue to the creation of shared vision; from deliberations to the formulation of strategies, and through communication, collaboration, and coordination, our design team has made the vision of our Davie residents happen. The new park will contain most of the key features that Davie County residents specifically identified as top priorities,” said Moore.
Slated to be completed Spring 2020, the County-owned park’s initial Phase One facilities will include the largest Vortex splash pad in North Carolina, an amphitheater and civic green, an inclusive playground, a 310° baseball/softball field, a dog park (for small and large dogs), walkways and trails (including a boardwalk), a horseshoe and bocce courtyard, a 625 square foot medium shelter, and gymnasium renovations along with a number of other infrastructure elements.
The County also secured additional support from the General Assembly to reconstruct the old parking lot which will include a road course for local law enforcement and emergency services vehicular training.
Additionally, the County is pursuing grant funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for other park features that would become part of phase one construction if successfully awarded.
“We want our residents to know that this new park will not only lead as a regional destination park, but will serve as a joyful experience through recreation and play for individuals, families, seniors, and pets too!” he added.
He went on to say, “Working in the field of Parks and Recreation and public service is not just a job for us, it’s a calling. We’ve committed ourselves to this profession and our mission to enrich the quality of life in Davie County because we’re all striving to be part of something that makes a real, meaningful difference. We couldn’t have made it this far without all of you!”
Moore gave credit to the many individuals and organizations who have devoted themselves to the future of Davie County by supporting recreation and parks with the construction of the new park. “On behalf of our Board of Commissioners, community residents, and the DCRP Team, we express our heartfelt appreciation to:
- The citizens of Davie County, this is your park and we want you to be proud of it!
- The Staff of Davie County, from our Administration Office, Finance, Development Services, to our Recreation and Parks team.
- Our dedicated team, including members of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, consultants, McAdams, Fuller Architecture, Davie Construction Co. and Vortex.
- To the first sponsoring organization, The Davie Community Foundation, we extend a thank you for their ongoing helpfulness and support for a Healthy Davie.
- Our Officials in Raleigh who have represented us so well with obtaining support for the park.”
Recreation and Parks is seeking resident input on the PARTF application. Public input meetings will be held at the Brock Recreation Center on North Main Street in Mocksville on Thursday, March 21st from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, March 23rd from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
To follow the development of the community park, visit www.daviecountync.gov/DCRP and click on the tab labeled “Davie County Community Park”. Davie County Recreation and Parks can be reached at 336-753-8326.
