By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
Members of the Salisbury City Council unanimously approved a Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update at their monthly meeting Tuesday.
The plan, provided by Woolpert LLC of Charlotte, provides for expansion and improvements to the parks and recreation department through 2020.
“Now, if y’all can just find me $27 million real quick,” joked Councilman Mark Lewis once the presentation was complete.
Actually funding all the projects included therein would cost closer to $29.5 million. Plans call for everything from expansion of some parks to the creation of others. Bike and walking trails would be expanded, as would pools and basketball courts.
The plan breaks down the projects on a year-to-year basis through 2015. From 2016 to 2020, the plan makes more broad suggestions for such things as continued Greenway development.
Councilman Bill Burgin said one of the things he liked best about the plan was that it called for two of seven proposed neighborhood parks to be built on the east side of town.
“I almost feel like that’s the lost side of the city and I hate to say that,” Burgin said.
The plan calls for one of the two east-side parks to be built east of Interstate 85 between Faith Road and Innes Street/Salisbury Avenue. The other east-side park would be built in the area of Bringle Ferry Road and Cane Creek.
Mayor Susan Kluttz said approving the plan and having it in place is important for securing possible money for funding.
“You never know when grant or stimulus money is going to become available,” she said.
In a related matter, council members also approved a master plan for the renovation of Lincoln Park. The park includes a little more than 3 acres. Renovating the historical area ó including construction of a larger pool ó would cost about $1.7 million.
“It’s a good plan if we can just pull it off,” said Mayor Pro Tem Paul Woodson.
“I think it’d be wonderful to have a park there in addition to a pool,” said Mayor Susan Kluttz.