parks and recreation

By DONNELL COLEY
Sports Editor

DUNN — Clarence Lee Tart Park hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning to officially welcome the community to its newest renovations.

A vision that started in 2017, after receiving $350,000 in N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) monies, was completed just in time for residents looking for ways to stay active after months of closings and social distance requirements.

Brian McNeill, director for the City of Dunn Parks and Recreation Department, spent a few moments thanking those from around the city who took part in funding the $2.97 million project. He also showed gratitude to the tireless work of engineers and contractors, who completed much of the work during COVID-19’s most impactful time.

McNeill was especially proud of non-contact sports additions, like the disc golf course and outdoor fitness centers, that provided safe exercise options during a global pandemic.    

“We saw that people started gravitating towards (those activities) more and started taking more use of (them),” he said.   

“With us adding those things here, in case we ever have another pandemic and things shut down, we’re well equipped for that.” 

Of the local attendees impressed with all of Tart Part’s fresh luster, which includes a brand new control tower that overlooks all four ball fields, was Dunn Mayor William Elmore.

A baseball player during his time as a youngster living in Dunn, Elmore spoke to how far parks and rec improvements have come citywide. Tyler Park has long been the featured venue for little league competition, but Tart Park is now added to the local roster and even hosted opening ceremony events for this summer’s Dixie Youth Baseball Division 2 State Tournament.    

“I’ve been around and seen a lot of parks where these kids play, and this is one of the finest facilities of any that I’ve attended in other states and other towns,” he said. “This will serve our community for many, many years.” 

McNeill says what has been a “long process” to this point isn’t finished and closed his remarks by providing more good news for future upgrades.

Gov. Roy Cooper announced in August that Tart Park was among the recreation facilities statewide to benefit from a new round of PARTF grants. McNeill says the $200,000 award will be used for Phase 2 of the renovation project, addressing playground and…