The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced that Williams & Montgomery Street Park was awarded $357,497 from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). The funds will go to the construction of a new park in Henderson.
“Thanks to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, Vance County’s local economy is going to see a positive impact with the construction of Williams & Montgomery Street Park,” said Rep. Terry E. Garrison.
Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Director Kendrick Vann said the project is “moving forward” and said the park could be finished by the summer of 2022.
The Authority approved 14 local grants in September 2021, but this year approved funding for 41 local parks and recreation projects for more recreational opportunities across the state. The recipients are required to match funds dollar-for-dollar.
“We’re excited to see what other projects we can get off the ground in Vance and other counties in House District 32 for our future generations,” Garrison said.
The city submitted a request in 2021 to the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), funded by the N.C. General Assembly, according to Vann.
Henderson did not receive a grant during the initial funding cycle in 2021, but Vann said at their Jan. 6, 2022 meeting, the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority announced a second round of funding, and Henderson was among several communities successfully funded.
“Once we receive the allocation contract for the PARTF grant program, we will start putting together bidding packets for the project,” Vann told WIZS News via email. Once the bidding process is complete, local officials will have a better idea about a timeline for a start date and completion.
Vann said he hopes to have this project complete by the beginning of summer 2022, “so the community can enjoy this great accomplishment.”
Some preliminary work has been done at the park site and he said he hoped to have the first phase of the National Fitness Campaign installation in the coming weeks.
“With the City Manager and City Council’s continued support we are at the stage we can see the results of our perseverance,” Vann said. The only hurdles we have now are the traditional ones – which include potential weather delays, and supply/equipment shortages or back ordered material.