City may seek grant for new fishing pier at Havens Gardens
Published 9:42 pm Sunday, March 13, 2016
A new fishing pier could be coming to Havens Gardens, if the Washington City Council approves seeking a grant to help pay for it.
During its meeting today, the council will consider authorizing the city’s parks and recreation manager to submit the preliminary paperwork needed to request a $93,000 grant from the Public Beach and Coastal Waterfront Access program. If the grant were awarded, the city would be required to provide a 10-percent match toward the new pier.
During its February meeting, the city’s Recreation Advisory Committee voted to seek the grant. The new pier, if built, would include cutouts from which handicapped people could fish, according to a city document. Also, the new pier’s slats would match the marine slats of the new pier on the Stewart Parkway promenade. Though the Havens Gardens pier is included in the city’s capital-improvements plan, its tentative budget of $80,000 does not reflect the cost of the cutouts, according to the document.
Other proposed improvements at Havens Gardens include a loop walking trail west of the parking lot, a shelter on the west end of Havens Gardens so it overlooks the Pamlico River, a fenced-in play area for small children and adding facilities for a splash park, bocce and beach volleyball. A kayak launch at the adjacent boat ramps is in the works.
Recently, the wheel at Havens Gardens was relocated so equipment for the Play Together playground can be installed to make the park more accessible for disabled or handicapped children, according to Kristi Roberson, the city’s parks and recreation director.
An initial $225,000 grant from Trillium Health Resources provided the money for the Play Together project. Implementing the plan carries an estimated price tag of $264,055.42, according to a project document. Eliminating some of the new playground equipment can reduce the project’s cost. The project’s contract has been amended to $280,556. Also, the city received a $3,600 private donation for the project.
The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St. To view the council’s agenda for a specific meeting, visit the city’s website at www.washingtonnc.gov, click “Government” then “City Council” heading, then click “Meeting Agendas” on the menu to the right. Then click on the date for the appropriate agenda.