Parks with more perks: Big plans ahead for city’s Parks & Rec

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WILMINGTON — The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has some big plans for the future.

Parks and Rec Director Jermaine Isaac told the News Journal his largest project currently is obtaining adjacent lands to park properties. He’s also seeking community input on what should be done with the wooden playground in David Williams Park.

“That playground is a gem of the city,” said Isaac. “It was built over 25 years ago and a lot of people in the community have had a lot to do with that.

”It was actually a community build. There were so many people involved with that project from beginning to end with building it, getting materials and fundraising.”

However, the playground is near its retirement age, Isaac said. He’s looking to form a steering committee to help decide what should be done with it.

Possible options include replacing it with a similar playground but with more modern materials, or to build something completely different — either that the park needs or the community wants.

“We’re keeping our options open,” he said. “I think the initial plan is to just refurbish or redesign it.”

The Parks and Rec Board has already begun looking at potential candidates for the committee.

The other big project is acquiring adjacent properties next to trails in the city. The first one is the woods next to the Dr. Nathan Hale Nature Trail in Denver Williams Park.

“People think we already own those woods. We actually don’t,” he said. “We do own most of it now. We just acquired a big portion of those woods which was actually donated to us.”

The second property is adjacent to the Luther Warren Peace Path by Clinton Memorial Hospital.

They hope to purchase the property in the next couple months and clean up the woods, do some invasive species removal for plants like honeysuckle, and cut down hazardous trees.

Among other projects in the works include an adult fitness center at Denver Williams Park, which they hope to have completed soon.

Wilmington Parks & rec also unveiled their new logo on the first day of spring with the motto, “time well spent.” Isaac hopes the motto will make people want to get involved with activities at the parks and get their kids involved.

And this year the Park Board welcomed two new members — Tim Wiederhold and Rebeka Hamilton.

“Both have great experience, which makes them great fits for our board,” said Isaac.

The new Wilmington Parks and Rec logo emphasizes “time well spent.”
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/03/web1_Wilmington-Parks-_-Rec-Primary-Logo-01-1-.jpgThe new Wilmington Parks and Rec logo emphasizes “time well spent.”

The wooden playground at David Williams Memorial Park, which will be getting some work on in the future.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2018/03/web1_DSC_0804.jpgThe wooden playground at David Williams Memorial Park, which will be getting some work on in the future. John Hamilton | News Journal
Wilmington’s Parks & Rec has big plans

By John Hamilton

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Reach John Hamilton at 937-382-2574

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