May 9. By Dave Yochum. The Town of Cornelius has begun the process of putting a $20 million Park Bonds Referendum before voters in November. Members of the Town Board unanimously approved a “resolution directing publication of notice of intent” to apply to the Local Government Commission (LGC) for a General Obligation Bond Referendum.

The first step state statutes require is publication of the notice of intention to apply to the LGC for approval of the bonds to be put on the ballot—so this process is in the earliest stages.

The proposed bonds would pay the capital costs of the acquisition, renovation and construction of parks as well as greenways, paths, trails and open space for active and passive use.

Speaking at the Lake Norman Chamber’s “Focus Friday” event two weeks ago, Cornelius Parks Director Troy Fitzsimmons said the town has about 450 acres of parkland, or 14 acres per thousand but the goal is 750 acres, equal to about 18 acres per thousand.

The referendum would help achieve that.

No specific projects have been selected yet for new parks or park improvements as part of the potential referendum, but aspirations in the Parks master plan include Neighborhood Parks in Village Center, Northeast Cornelius and Southeast Cornelius.