Oct. 29. The Lake Norman Chamber Board of Directors has voted to support the Town of Cornelius Park Bonds on this year’s ballot. The Cornelius Park Bonds would make available up to $20 million over 10 years for parks, greenways, and other amenities.
Jeff Tarte, 2024 board chair, said there was strong support for the Cornelius $20 million Park bond on the ballot.
Jeff Tarte
“Investing in our community’s parks and recreational spaces, first and foremost enhances the quality of life for our residents, and also plays a vital role in stimulating local economic growth,” he said.
Enhanced parks promote tourism and attract new businesses by providing recreational facilities for families and visitors.
“Our community thrives when we have vibrant public spaces that encourage social interaction and strengthen neighborhood ties,” Tarte said.
Background
The town recently updated its parks and greenways master plan, which must be done every 10 years to qualify for most state and federal grant money.
The previous master plan was completed in 2015 and Cornelius has grown considerably since.
Details
Park Land Acquisition:
Acquire land for a future 100 acre+/- park(s) to preserve open space and accommodate future active and passive recreation facilities. Based on public input and recommendations from the 2024 Town of Cornelius Parks and Greenways Master Plan, future active facilities may include athletic fields and courts, and future passive facilities may include preserved open space with trails, wildlife watching, picnicking, and playgrounds.
McDowell Creek Greenway Phase II / Jason Benavides photo
Park Development:
Develop a portion of Bailey Road Park Tennis/Pickleball Court Complex Phase II, including a new restroom building and additional parking, to support the six lighted tennis courts and ten lighted pickleball courts currently under development.
Develop another phase of Robbins Park including two lighted multi-purpose fields, restroom building, parking, improved natural areas, 5K trail, and redesigned disc golf course.
Park Improvements:
Improve and increase playability of the shared-use JV Washam Elementary School multi-purpose field by adding lights, synthetic turf, and restroom building.
Recreation Center Development:
Develop a new shared-use recreation center in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) at the soon-to-be rebuilt Cornelius Elementary School. The standard CMS elementary school does not include a gymnasium but based on a new design standard approved by CMS, the new center can operate while school is in session, greatly increasing programming opportunities during the day for citizens. This partnership will lower the Town’s cost, as it will not have to purchase land. Facilities that may be provided include a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, fitness classes, etc., and community rooms for programming such as bridge, educational seminars, tai chi, yoga, Pilates, etc.
McDowell Creek Greenway Phase II / Jason Benavides photo
Greenway Development:
Develop the approximately 3/4-mile Westmoreland Greenway (Westmoreland Road to Rosalyn Glen Road). As part of the Alexander Farm development, the developer will construct approximately 1/2 mile, leaving just 1/4 mile to provide a strategic greenway connection between Westmoreland Road and the Westmoreland neighborhood. The greenway would provide all pedestrians and bicyclists convenient access to the Westmoreland Athletic Complex, Robbins Park, and McDowell Creek Greenway.
Develop the approximately 4/10-mile Stratford Forest Greenway. This greenway segment would connect the McDowell Creek Greenway near Birkdale with the new Northcross Drive Extension, providing convenient access for the Stratford Forest neighborhood and a strategic connection from McDowell Creek Greenway to Northcross Drive Extension.
Quotable
“This park bond represents an opportunity for us to invest in the future of the Lake Norman area to ensure that our parks are equipped to meet the needs of our growing population. By supporting the bond referendum, we are choosing to build a stronger, more connected community for all residents,” Tarte said.
