Jun 4

Jun 4 Emma Webb park improvement plan moving forward, pool closed since 2018

Emma Webb Park, completed in 1936 is due for necessary improvements. The pool closed after 85 years in 2018. At the last city council meeting the director of Kinston’s Parks and Recreation, Corey Povar, spoke to the commissioners about $350,000 in matching funds he was requesting from the city to receive a grant.

“This is a consideration for the council to approve. The city’s portion would be $350,000 to receive a matching $350,000 grant, said Corey Povar, the director of Parks and Recreation.

The current plan in place to use the grant will add a walking trail, additional parking to Emma Webb park, enhance the current playground area, and add a pavilion and gardens.

“We’re not including aquatics in the current grant proposal. We have options in other grants to help with the funding of the aquatics and the bathhouse,” said Povar. “We have plans for those in another grant application.”

Councilman Sammy Aiken asked Povar if the matching funds had to be in cash, or if ‘in-kind’ financing was an option to meet the matching demand. Povar explained it was a dollar for dollar match.

“The goal is to paint a picture of this high-quality park that we’re trying to accomplish,” said Povar.

Povar is looking for another grant for an aquatics addition to Emma Web Park. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons were previously used for Halloway Park. This grant has no matching responsibility for that grant.

“An aquatics feature is within our scope. From that grant process, we’re looking to allocate from that grant process, a number of $450,000 to $500,000 allocated for Emma Web,” said Povar.

With COVID-19 affecting daily life, having amenities that include walking trails, and open space will benefit the community while maintaining the ability for social distancing. The grant had to be applied for by June 1. Councilman Robert Swinson made the motion to approve the funding, seconded by Councilwoman Kristal Suggs, and unanimously approved by the council. Aiken made the motion to approve the Emma Webb conception plan and was seconded by Suggs. The motion carried unanimously.

see previous stories on Emma Webb