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Site plan approved for county park in Kitty Hawk
Dare County commissioners approved final plans for the proposed Kitty Hawk Park at their board meeting Monday.
The 11-acre park and its eventual site plan were the culmination of a series of committee meetings by Kitty Hawk and Dare County parks and recreation advisory boards as well as Dare’s Capital Improvements Project Committee.
While some sport has been made of the county’s decision to include a “dog park” on the property, which was purchased about two years ago for just over $1 million, the reality was much less sensational.
The county received a $500,000 matching grant from the state to facilitate the purchase of the land. By the time the grant was awarded, the county had completed the purchase and the offset funds are to be used for $500,000 worth of park facilities.
County Manager Bobby Outten and other commissioners wanted to make clear the funds to build the facility were not taken from the county’s general fund. Outten noted the grant funds, awarded by the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), must be used for the proposed park or the money would have to be returned to the state.
The “doggie park” takes up only one acre of the 11-acre facility.
Expenditures for the facility include $25,000 for fencing and other improvements for the dog park. By contrast, $45,000 is budgeted for a picnic shelter, $100,000 for a skate park, $50,000 for rest rooms, $14,000 for a playground and $125,000 for parking, sidewalks, gravel trails and landscape.
The remainder of the $500,000 in grant money was designated for water and power connections, permits and engineering/surveys.
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Duke says:
I pushed for years to have a dog park built in back of the County Administration complex. I knew it would not be expensive since the county already owned the land. And I know my dog wouldn’t care if it abutted wetlands. She runs at the dog park daily while on her winter hiatus in Florida. Dogs are healthier and more socialized when they get exercised. $25K is not going to break the bank. But the future plans for an indoor pool is a complete waste of money. They are a money pit in highest degree.
Mico says:
Sure would have been nice if they remembered the red-headed stepchildren across the bridge and invested in a park for Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.
Our children and our visitors have nowhere to skate or picnic or bike and walk safely. If you’re not on the variable width pipe and cable smattered beach you get to risk your life trying to ride on the narrow or overgrown highway shoulder.
The county is happy to take our money but conveniently forgets to invest any in our community. Our children have no ball park, no skate park, no sidewalks or picnic shelters. Nothing but a young children’s playground furnished by a departing movie crew. Even they felt sorry for our kids.
Dad says:
How about a nice soccer field for the kids? The closest one is in Nags Head and is closed a lot of the year.
Ray says:
Russ,
You failed to mention that Dare County spent $1.2 million to purchase this property. Ask Bobby Outten whose pockets that money came from. Yes, the county got back $500,000 TOWARDS THE LAND PURCHASE. You can only spend a dollar once. The county used our $1.2 millon and are now trying to say they are using the state’s $500,000 for the park. Either way, we have been bilked for over $700,000 for this park. And, guess what? Only 78 people even responded to a COUNTYWIDE SURVEY asking whether they wanted the park and what they wanted in it. Only about 30 respondents said they wanted a dog park. This entire deal stinks!!
Ray says:
Another point…even the Town of Kitty Hawk DID NOT ASK FOR THIS PARK…
Colleen says:
I have to tell you, I love the idea of a dog park… and skate park/playground for the kids. We had a huge dog park where I lived in MD, and it was one of my favorite places to meet people with similar interests. It’ll be good to get our pets off of the streets and beaches, and into an environment built for THEM. Now we’ll just have to manage the owners and ensure they are only bringing friendly, socialized dogs on the grounds!
Russ Lay says:
Ray–the article clearly states the land cost was over $1MM.
Russ Lay says:
It also mentions the $500K was to be credited to the land purchase…:)
Andy says:
Let’s not forget the 800 or so thousand dollars in reduced benefits for County Employees during last year’s budget crunch. This year the budget will be crunched more! But, we’ll still have this County Park in Kitty Hawk.
Amy says:
I’d like to see MORE recreational facilities for kids in Dare. We have the Baum Center for older citizens, boating access in several areas and walking trails for adults. The town park in Nags Head is a joke (and the equipment dangerous) and there are too few ball fields. No wonder so many kids turn to drugs out of boredom. If you don’t want a recreational area today, you’re going to be building more jails tomorrow.
Claudia Larson says:
I bet it’s all asphalt. That’s how Kitty Hawk supports the “Good Old Boys”
disgruntled says:
The County is going forward with the dog park, but has no problem cutting employee pay and benefits. Again. It’s maddening.