GRANITE QUARRY — Granite Quarry received a $500,000 grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority Trust Fund, money that town officials said will help make the town’s Civic Park renovations a reality.

The town allocated $500,000 in matching funds for the project, so the grant brings the total funding up to $1 million. That money will be used to fund some of the renovations called for in the Civic Park Master Plan approved in April, which included projects such as updating shelter and restroom facilities, new playground equipment, updated tennis and pickleball courts, a new splash pad and an updated basketball court.

“This is truly an exciting time for Granite Quarry. We are very excited to get started on the much needed renovation and upgrade to our beloved Granite Civic Park,” said Town Manager Jason Hord in a release.

The adopted master plan includes seven goals that the town hopes to accomplish through the renovations, ranging from continuing the park’s role as a civic center and better accommodating the annual Granite Fest to appealing to more visitors and increasing usage by upgrading park facilities and and allowing for extended hours. Those goals were the results of a months-long planning process by consulting firm Stewart that included public input sessions, electronic surveys of the community, postcards mailed to Granite Quarry residents and direction from the town council.

Recommendations for implementation of those goals include expanding the bridge over the stream to make it wheelchair accessible, installing educational signage explaining the history of the town and the park area, pursuing upgrades to the American Legion building and taking advantage of the natural topography of the park to implement tiered seating on the hill and a naturalized play slide.

“The investment by PARTF in Granite Civic Park and the town of Granite Quarry is extraordinary. I could not be more appreciative of this announcement and what this will do for the community of Granite Quarry and Rowan County. We will be seeking more partners along the way to include businesses, agencies and private community members to collaborate and ultimately make the dream of the entire $5 million park renovation a reality,” said Mayor Brittany Barnhardt in the release.

Granite Quarry was one of 22 applications for the PARTF grant that was approved out of a total of 40 applications. The town received the maximum funding amount of $500,000. 

Council votes to implement nicotine-free park policy

The Granite Quarry Town Council approved the implementation of a policy that bans all nicotine and tobacco products during their meeting on Tuesday. The vote made the town the first municipality in Rowan County to make its parks smoke-free, tobacco-free and nicotine-free.

The vote came on the heels of a presentation by Rowan County Health Education Specialist Amy Smith, who spoke about the dangers of second-hand smoke, the prevalence of vaping among high school-aged youth and the dangers of tobacco- and nicotine-related litter to the environment. Smith spoke on the heels of Hord’s manager update, which included information about the Civic Park project and a sidewalk connector project between the town’s parks.

“I think this would be a great fit with your new Civic Park and with your connectivity between the two parks. This could be an awesome and healthy way to promote healthier citizens and a healthier Granite Quarry,” said Smith.

Rowan County had made the request for Granite Quarry to ban smoking in its park two times in the past, said Smith. Alderman John Linker said that he had supported the smoke-free initiative both times, however the ban was denied both times.

“I haven’t changed my opinion. I have from the beginning been in favor of us going no smoking and tobacco. I’m really concerned with the vaping for younger kids these days,” said Linker.

Mayor Pro Tem Doug Shelton had also been on the board during the other times and said that he also had not changed his opinion that the town should not involve themselves in people’s personal lives. He also said that he believed that the statistics and points presented on the dangers of secondhand smoke were exaggerated.

“I don’t think it’s any of our business to ban smoking or tobacco in our park. It’s a matter of personal freedom. It’s a matter of personal choices,” said Shelton.

Alderman Laurie Mack also supported the rule, saying that she had grown up in a home where her father smoked, which led to her having issues with sore throats and sickness until she moved out.

“I used to always have a sore throat and a cold. I would always get sick. I moved out of the house when I went to college, and all of a sudden I stopped getting sick because I wasn’t in the house where the smoking was actually going on. I know how much smoking impacted me individually,” said Mack.

Mayor Brittany Barnhardt also voiced her support, saying that the town council should be advocates for protecting the park areas, where people go to exercise and families go to play and enjoy the outdoors.

After the discussion, the aldermen voted three to one in favor of making the town parks smoke-free, tobacco-free and nicotine-free. Shelton was the only alderman to vote no, saying that he viewed banning smoking in outdoor areas as a “bridge too far.”

Smith said the county health department will provide as much signage as needed at no cost to the town and they can be personalized to the town’s communication needs.