The City of Fayetteville has recently acquired the surplus land from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to be used for the expansion of Veteran’s Park, a project known as Veteran’s Park II. The eight acres of the expansion site is located near the intersection of Bragg Boulevard, Rowan Street and Murchison Road. It became available after NCDOT replaced the Rowan Street bridge with the current structure.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming months following the bid process. In preparation, preliminary grading work is now underway. The park is expected to be completed within approximately 12 months following the beginning of construction. The completed park will feature an expansive green space and parade ground, a hero’s walk, parking and a pedestrian bridge connecting the new site to the existing Veteran’s Park.

These projects are among the final ones to round out the Parks & Recreation Bond package approved by voters in 2016. At the end of the month, the Bill Crisp Senior Center will open its doors for residents to enjoy near Lake Rim. Next summer, seniors on the east side of Fayetteville will enjoy a similar new site near the Murchison corridor.

Additionally, there will be new courts for tennis and pickleball located at Mazarick Park. A groundbreaking ceremony for the park will take place this month. 

During last week’s Council meeting, a contract was authorized for the construction of a $2.4 million building for the Tennis Center. When complete, the center will be a destination for both tournament and recreational play for residents and visitors alike.

Together with the six splash pads, several park upgrades, a downtown skatepark, Jordan soccer complex, facility updates, a sports complex, Gilmore Recreation Center, and the extension of the Cape Fear River Trail, these projects collectively represent more than $35 million from the 2016 Parks and Recreation Bond invested in Fayetteville’s neighborhoods to make our city a desirable place to live, work and play.