Pineville’s Parks and Rec seeks resident’s feedback

The Pineville Department of Parks and Recreation, which has about 100 acres of undeveloped park land, wants to hear from residents on how best to spend money on its facilities. They also want to know if their programs are meeting the community’s needs.

Residents, along with anyone who uses Pineville’s parks and recreation facilities, are asked to participate in an upcoming needs assessment survey. The survey results will be used to help guide decision-making for how the town will allocate resources and apply for grant funding for future improvements.

. “The survey will allow us to get input from residents and find out what their want and needs are, whether they want a dog park, spray grounds, disc golf, etc,” said Kristy Detwiler, director of Pineville Parks and Recreation Department.

In December, the Pineville Town Council approved $23,000 to conduct the assessment, allowing $20,000 for the needs assessment and an additional $3,000 for printing and mailing of reminder postcards.

“We need this survey in order to have a viable master plan that will allow us to apply for state and federal grants,” said Detwiler.

Those grants include funding from Parks and Recreation Trust, Land & Water Conservation Fund and the North Carolina trails program.

The survey will run March 27 through April 12, and will be available online at www.townofpineville.com/parks-and-recreation. The survey will be available at locations around Pineville, including the Belle Johnston Community Center, 1000 Johnston Drive. Look for additional survey locations on the department’s website.

In addition to overseeing the Belle Johnston Community Center, which offers trips, events and classes for all ages, the department runs Jack D. Hughes Park, which opened in the early 1960s and was renovated in 2000. The park features a multipurpose field, two softball fields, a collegiate-size baseball stadium, two batting cages, a playground, picnic shelters and a 1.5 -mile walking trail.

Pineville Lake Park also features a number of shelters and is available for rental for events such as wedding receptions or birthday parties, as does The Hut Meeting Facility.