By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
The creation of Festival Park took a step closer toward reality when the Washington City Council added the Festival Park master plan to the city’s parks and recreation master plan.
That move, brought about by a unanimous vote by the council, came Monday during the council’s meeting. The city is seeking a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant to help pay for the amenities at Festival Park. The grant requirements call for a 50 percent cash match from the city, if the city receives the grant. The park area is bordered on the east by the N.C. Estuarium, on the west by the former Maola plant, on the north by Water Street and on the south by the Pamlico River. About two years ago, the council designated a significant piece of that land for use as “open space.”
“We’ve done a master plan for Festival Park,” said Phil Mobley, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, during a presentation about the Festival Park master plan.
That master plan calls for a performance venue, public restrooms, a children’s play area, picnic shelter and benches, among other things. Susan Suggs, who helped develop the master plan, believes Festival Park will be a complementary addition to the city’s waterfront.
“It expands the existing utilization of the property,” Suggs said.
The Festival Park concept received the endorsement of the Washington Area Historic Foundation and Citizens for Revitalization.
The Washington Area Historic Foundation “fully endorses this proposal,” said Don Stroud, representing the foundation at the meeting.
WAHF is prepared to support the project financially, he said.
“Our group is willing to put our money where its mouth is,” Stroud said.
Ross Hamory, representing Citizens for Revitalization, told the council that organization’s members voted unanimously to endorse the master plan.
Several private groups have said they are willing to help pay for Festival Park, Mobley told the council, possibly allowing the city to decrease its obligation toward the project.
The city is seeking $295,125 in PARTF funds from the state. If the city receives that funding, it must provide a like amount. That would provide $590,250 to help pay for some Festival Park components. If the city receives the grant, project construction must be completed within three years.
City officials believe Festival Park will support live performances, provide open space where people may relax, create play areas for children and provide opportunities for access to the Pamlico River.
For additional coverage of the council’s meeting, see future editions of the Washington Daily New.