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June 29, 2005

Plan has no park in fast-growth area

HIGH POINT - A proposal to expand and upgrade Davidson County parks does not include any new parks for the area of the county into which High Point is growing.

The goal of the 161-page plan released Tuesday is to improve tourism and recreation opportunities across Davidson County.

The plan says the northern and the central portions of Davidson County are growing fast, and continued population growth will mean increasing demands on recreation facilities.

"We haven't developed the facilities to meet the demand," said Charles Parnell, Davidson County's recreation director.

The plan examines the six existing parks in Davidson County, which mostly accommodate team sports or family recreation. The report did not examine city parks in Thomasville, Denton, Lexington or High Point or recreation facilities owned by schools or private organizations.

Much of High Point's new development is in northeast Davidson County and some residents there believe the county cannot keep up with the growth.

Parnell said the plan takes into account the whole county, not just one segment.

But, he said, a new park could be built in north Davidson, close to the area where High Point is growing.

The plan recommends expanding and improving the county’s existing parks, with the exception of the 3.8-acre Reedy Creek Park along N.C. 150 in north Davidson County. In regards to that park, the task force recommends that another larger park be built, west of Lake Thom-a-Lex. Reedy Creek would then be used for adult sports.

There’s a possibility that two other large park projects could be built in north Davidson, Parnell said. The plan recommends a large, multipurpose sports complex as well as an agriculture complex be built somewhere in the county. Building those parks depends on the availability of land and demand, he said.

Also proposed are 75 miles of greenway that could possibly connect much of the county.

The entire parks plan would cost $29 million. Annual operating costs could range between $1.7 million and $2.7 million. The county would have to determine if and how to pay for the projects, possibly through fees or increased taxes.

The report has been more than a year in the making. Task forces held community meetings throughout the county.

The report may be adopted by Davidson County leaders, who would use it as a guide for future parks and tourism investments, said Jo Ellen Edwards, the project coordinator with the Tourism Development Partnership for Davidson County.

Contact Amy Dominello at 883-4422, Ext. 248, or adominello@news-record.com

Posted by Amy Dominello at June 29, 2005 3:00 AM