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Stoney Creek Park is Goldsboro’s first park oriented towards the development of green space activities. The concept now features an approximately four acre lake with surrounding features designed to foster a wide variety of outdoor activities in a natural setting. This may include areas for hiking, running, biking, disk golf, nature study, children’s play, and gardens. The Stoney Creek Park Alliance was established in 2006 as a 501(c)3 affiliate of the Wayne Charitable Partnership with the aim to foster community support and involvement in the development and success of the park.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why develop the area into a park?
In its current state, Stoney Creek Park rests as a visibly attractive area. With development as a dynamic green space, though, it may provide economic, social, cultural, educational, and recreational benefits to the community. The activities possible here are accessible to a broad range of ages, interests, and abilities. Its size, location, and natural features offer outdoor opportunities that are currently not available in existing city parks.
How can you develop a park in a flood zone?
Flooding is a well recognized dynamic for part of the park property, and planning for the park recognizes this. The development concept works with the natural features of the area by orienting activities and development towards what is compatible with the flooding. Many activities are possible in the more flood prone areas, including walking, biking, running, nature study, and Frisbee golf. Outside of the floodway more developed areas can exist, including gardens, natural play areas, displays, and gathering places. Flooding will only inhibit a few days out of the many that can be enjoyed. As of April 2007, we have seen five months where flooding has not been a factor in the park.
What is this going to cost the taxpayers?
All efforts are under way to limit the role of city money in the park’s development and maintenance. The City Council approved the Stoney Creek Park Alliance, a nonprofit affiliate of the Wayne Charitable Partnership, to recruit the resources of this community and beyond to assist the park and reduce the city’s financial outlay. Money from grants and both monetary and in-kind donations will play a role in this. Considerable contributions of land, services, money (totaling $10,000 to date), and time from the private sector have already made a significant impact. The efforts and talents of volunteers can also have a big role and foster ownership among community members. In addition, the cost estimate of approximately two million dollars only applies to an idealized completed park. The fortunate thing about park development is that it can evolve in phases as money becomes available through various resources. By its unique nature, the grant money applied for this project will not be competing with other needs for the city.
Why build a lake in the park?
The lake will provide a strong visual focal point and center for activity in the park unlike any other feature. It would also make good use of land in an area where water collection currently limits activities. The lake may also limit the collection of standing water in the park much as a retention pond does on a golf course.
What can I do to help?
The Stoney Creek Park Alliance was formed to provide an organized avenue for citizens to assist with the park’s development and future. Any number of roles can be filled by community members: committee member, volunteer, donor, advocate. Please contact the Alliance and let us know what your interests, ideas, or abilities are, and how we can work together to make the park a reality. Please contact us through Parks and Recreation at (919) 739-7480.
How will the Stoney Creek Restoration Project affect the park?
The Stoney Creek Restoration Project, under the direction of The City of Goldsboro is completely separate from the park development project. Funded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the projects aims to amend the impairment of Stoney Creek, and improve the quality of water moving into the Neuse River. Although this is a completely separate project, Stoney Creek Park stands to gain from this effort. It is possible that smaller flooding events will be reduced as the watershed and stream north of the park are improved. If funds are available, the stream restoration may extend into the park and improve the stream banks through the park.
What is the progress of the project?
As of April, 2007 the process of permitting for the lake progresses under the direction of Kimley-Horne and Associates. Applications for several grants have been submitted. If successful, grant funds will assist the design and construction of the lake, trails, and possibly other features of the park. The Stoney Creek Park Alliance is continuing its effort to organize interested community members and prepare to support the city in its development of the park.
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