By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
A county commissioner from Mount Ulla is pushing for improvements and a possible expansion of Sloan Park off N.C. 150 at Millbridge.
Tina Hall told the county Parks and Recreation Commission Monday night that Sloan Park is being neglected.
She pointed out that so much of the focus is on Dan Nicholas Park and Dunn’s Mountain, with Sloan Park getting little attention. “We can do more for people in the southwestern end of the county,” said Hall.
Hall also said Sloan Park deserves to be better, pointing out that park officials called it a bathroom stop for visitors to the Lazy 5 Ranch.
Don Bringle, parks director, said he has discussed potential projects with state parks officials, including adding some type of museum for farm implements and the county’s farming heritage.
But Bringle said before the county can apply for major grants, it needs a master plan for Sloan Park. He noted that the only such plan the county has is for Dan Nicholas Park and that has been key to getting state and federal grants.
Bringle indicated that funding for a master plan for Sloan Park will likely be in the budget request for the coming year.
“We need to get the ball rolling; it’s not rolling,” said Hall.
Frank Deal, a newly appointed member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and neighbor to Sloan Park, also called for an effort to upgrade the park.
Deal, who served on the committee backing a Farm Life Museum at Sloan, said there’s some private money available for the project.
Randy McCombs, another member, said the project got out of control. “They wanted to build the Empire State Building and got blown out of the water.”
The project presented to commissioners called for large two-story barn with a gambrel roof.
McCombs said a pole barn would be sufficient to house a display of antique machinery.
And McCombs suggested leaving out displays of hand tools, saying that would eliminate the need for staff or security. Instead, he said, display things that can’t be carried off.
Deal admitted the project got out of hand, saying, “We went overboard.”
Paul Brown, head of the property committee, said the upcoming parks budget request will include paving the tree trail at Sloan Park, adding playground equipment and garbage cans.
Brown noted the upcoming county commissioners’ retreat, saying it will be a good opportunity to discuss the park needs. Brown also expressed support for Chairman Arnold Chamberlain’s call for a park in the southern end of the county.
Rocky Cain, manager of Sloan Park, reported that the maintenance staff has completed a six-week cleanup project removing dead tree limbs and trash.
Staff also planted trees to honor the late Frank Tadlock, a longtime county commissioner, and Jim Graham, longtime N.C. Agriculture Commissioner.