The New London commissioners made tentative design plans for the upcoming town park, but need permission from a nearby property owner to complete the entire plan.
Stephen Chambers of Chambers Engineering in Albemarle presented a handful of design options to the board at its recent meeting. None of the designs were set in stone, and the council discussed possible modifications for some of them.
One design features a rectangular parking area while another with a slightly different layout has a half-moon road and parking area. In the center of the half-moon is an all-purpose building with bathrooms, storage, etc.
The commissioners preferred the semi-circle design, but will either need to slightly modify the design or gain permission from a nearby property owner to utilize a small portion of their property.
The commissioners decided to have Mayor Tate Daniels call the property owner to see if there is any interest from them in sharing the bit of property. If the answer is favorable, the council will set a meeting with the owner; if not, the design will be tweaked.
Park plans include adding pavilions, tables, a field playing area, trails and two playgrounds, one for young children and one for older children. In the future, it is possible an amphitheater will be added, though it is not in the list of current projects, Daniels said.
The park is designed to be highly accessible with a parking area and sidewalk access. It has not been named yet, Daniels said.
It will be paid for by $325,000 from the town and $275,000 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The town signed in October, but has up to three years from that date to complete the project.
Chambers Engineering has done work on Oakboro District Park and Locust Park.
The council went into a brief closed session. When it went back into open session, the commissioners unanimously approved the 2018-19 pay scale.

Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News and Press.