Hampstead Kiwanis Park project gets $250,000 from state grant
By Ken Clarke (from the Topsail Voice, July 7, 2004)
HAMPSTEAD -
The Hampstead Kiwanis Club and Pender County recently got good news when the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund announced a $250,000 grant has been awarded for the Hampstead Kiwanis Park Project."This is the best thing that could have happened to us, the citizens and the county," said Hampstead Kiwanis Park Project President Todd Godin.
The state grant will be combined with $150,000 promised by the Pender County Commissioners, giving the park project a total of $400,000 to begin work on phase I.
According to Godin, Phase I will include the first baseball field, a utility field that will have various uses including soccer, bathrooms, concessions, a playground, picnic shelter, irrigation and grading.
"There is a lot of grading that needs to be done," said Godin.
Pender County Manager Andy Hedrick said he hopes to have the paperwork from the state before the county commissioners for their approval by their second meeting in July.
"Before the money can be spent we have to have an executive grant agreement, which will take about 30 days," said Hedrick. "Our best hope is to be in position to start in August."
Should all go as expected, Godin said they hoped to allow access in the spring of 2005.
With the first phase off to a good start, Godin is quick to point out the project is far from being complete.
"We still need to raise money and get the people in the community involved to help build the rest of the park. We need both money and volunteers." said Godin. "We would like to get some sponsorships for our fields."
"It would be great if we could get someone to do a sponsorship and put their name on the playground," he added.
The Hampstead Kiwanis Club is working in conjunction with the county, which according to Hedrick, has no plans to take ownership over the park.
"This is a partnership between us and them," said Hedrick. "We are in the process of putting together an oversight board that will have Hampstead Kiwanis members, at-large members and hopefully a commissioner and possibly the county parks and recreation director."
Godin said it was important for the community to realize this was not going to be a county park in the traditional sense.
The county will assist in seeking grants and other funding sources but county funds in general will not build this park and for the park to be completed, according to Godin, it will
take people in the community to help by volunteering time, talent and money.For those looking to donate their time, talent, money or if they just want more information contact Sal Ferrotti at 270-2145.