| 3/2/2006 12:06:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| A new park is planned for a 1,014-acre piece of land between N.C. 210 and N.C. 27 in the Anderson Creek area of southwestern Harnett County. The land is off Nursery Road. |
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1,000 Acres Purchased
For Western Recreational Park
Plans were announced Wednesday for a major parks and recreation project for southern and western Harnett County.
The Harnett Forward Together Committee announced that 1,014 acres on Nursery Road has been permanently protected and is slated to become a major recreation and park site for the county.
The Harnett Forward Together Committee, which is a non-profit economic development organization, invested $3.1 million dollars in the project.
Harnett County Director of Economic Development Lee Anne Nance said quality of life was the main issue in deciding to build a park in the area.
“We want to be a community where a company’s employees want to live. We want to be seen as a progressive community that has a plan for the future,” she said. “When a company sees that we are preserving our rural assets and investing in tomorrow, they realize they are making a good investment by choosing our community.”
The new park will focus on outdoor and natural activities in addition to public recreation. Some of the possible amenities include running, birding and hiking trails, equestrian and public education programs, picnic areas and community recreation fields.
The park is located on Nursery Road approximately 1.8 miles south of the intersection of Nursery Road and N.C. 27, nine miles west of Lillington. It extends east from Nursery Road to Powell Farm Road and south to Lemuel Black Road. The land was formerly owned by William McKay Johnston of Cary.
County Commissioner Walt Titchener said he is excited about the opportunity.
“This park celebrates Harnett County’s past and sets the tone for its future,” he said. “We are growing quickly and this is a step to make sure we grow the right way. The commissioners are pleased that our citizens, especially our children, will enjoy access to this area for generations to come.”
Harnett Forward Together Chairman Johnson Tilghman said he is happy that his group can help preserve the area and promote recreation at the same time.
“This is a great piece of property to preserve. People will enjoy the beauty and availability of this property for generations to come,” he said. “The Harnett Forward Together Committee considers the preservation of open space and the provision of recreational amenities a key to successful economic development.”
Much of the expense of the project will be paid through a new recreational fee that was recently imposed by commissioners. Beginning this month there will be a $500 per lot assessment on the creation of new subdivision lots.
These assessments will be used in the communities in which they are collected to provide recreation opportunities. Part of the money collected in the areas near the park will be allotted to help with the $3.1 million purchase price of the park. The park will be paid for over a 15-year period. Additional funding will be sought through state and federal grants for the development of the master plan for the park and for the ongoing enhancement of the property.
Commissioners said they feel the park is just one project that will help deal with increasing growth in the area. It could help with the needs of the school board in the future.
“More than 42 percent of Harnett County’s overall growth from 1990 to 2000 occurred in the west,” Commissioner Tim McNeill said. “In addition, the property will provide future school sites to serve this growing area.”
Mr. McNeill said part of the property may be used for a new elementary school in the future to relieve overcrowding at existing schools. Both Highland Elementary and Johnsonville Elementary schools are both near or above capacity at the present time.
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