BY ELIZABETH G. COOK
SALISBURY POST

The Fulton Corp. will give $300,000 toward construction of a lake at the new Salisbury Community Park on Hurley School Road – if area residents will do the same.

The Salisbury Parks and Recreation Foundation announced the $300,000 challenge grant in a release Monday afternoon. Fulton Corp. is comprised of Fred Stanback Jr. and Elizabeth Stanback,

‘‘We just thought this would be something to help get that park started faster,’’ Fred Stanback Jr. said in a telephone interview this morning. The park will be an important addition to Salisbury’s recreation facilities, he said.

For every dollar pledged and received toward the completion of the lake, Fulton Corp. will donate a dollar, up to $300,000. Contributions go to The Salisbury Parks & Recreation Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting the construction of the park.

The lake would be a key feature of the natural areas of the park. If the Fulton Corp.’s challenge is met quickly, the lake could be completed in time for the park’s grand opening next year.

The park is taking shape on more than 300 acres of land the city bought on Hurley School Road for $1.5 million in July 1997. The funds were part of a $3 million recreation bond city voters approved the year before.

The remaining $1.5 million is going toward development of the park’s first phase, which includes three baseball fields, two soccer fields, parking and the road into the park.

The long-range master plan for the site includes seven soccer fields, six Little League fields, a baseball complex, a softball complex, a multipurpose field, a recreation center, an indoor swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, nature and cross country trails, a greenway trail, a disc golf course, a picnic shelter and picnic areas, restrooms, concessions, an office and meeting facility.

And, of course, a seven- to eight-acre lake. City officials have said completing the plan could take 15 to 20 years.

But the Stanbacks’ gift, if matched, moves the lake from Phase 3 to Phase 1 – and adds a lot of excitement to next year’s grand opening.

‘‘It is wonderful,’’ said Gail Elder White, the city’s parks and recreation director. ‘‘We are so excited.’’

On top of a $200,000 grant from Salisbury Community Foundation and $100,000 from the Robertson Foundation, the Fulton Corp. gift gives the park’s fund drive new momentum, White said.

She’ll be making presentations to City Council today and the Salisbury Civitan Club on Thursday concerning the fund drive.

‘‘It really helped us kick the whole process into another gear,’’ she said of the latest gift. ‘‘It is helping us create something that we wouldn’t have been able to do yet.’’

The lake will provide ‘‘passive’’ recreation at first – fishing and ‘‘just a quiet place to go,’’ White said. Eventually, paddleboats may be added.