Park advisors address Council

Joe Potts, serving as chairman of the Crouse Park Advisory Committee spoke to members of the Sparta Town Council during its Jan. 7 meeting, addressing matters recently discussed by the Crouse Park Advisory Committee.

At present, the town is seeking a total of $50,000 in matching grant funds through the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to fund renovations at Crouse Park.

PARTF is a state grant program that provides funds to local governments to acquire and/or develop recreational facilities. In the case of Sparta, the "recreational facility" is Crouse Park. The grant application is due by the end of the month.

Kevin Dowell, who serves as the town's planning and code enforcement officer, passed out a rendering of Crouse Park, noting where improvements are slated to be made, as well as what is presently included in the park.

One of the more anticipated changes to the park is the possibility of adding an amphitheater.

Potts stated, "Two of the Crouse House Pickers are really interested in lighting that would allow them to play later after dark, because once it gets dark, they'll pack up and go home." He added they are also interested in having more of an amphitheater-type setting at the Park.

"I think there are a couple of places that lend itself to it naturally just the way the land lays out there."

Council member John Brady offered, an ideal place to put an amphitheater would be near the creek—which is currently the proposed location for an additional picnic shelter. "To me, that's the ideal place to put it because it slopes right...it would be perfect for that."

Council member Mike Parlier proposed a second possible location for an amphitheater.

 

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