Wendell officials give update on park projects

Officials from the Wendell Parks and Recreation department updated the town on a number of parks projects and programs that are underway.

Jeff Polaski, who heads up the department, gave a far-reaching presentation that touched on new construction, renovation projects, and summer camp programs for both kids and adults.

Polaski noted that last year’s participation in youth sports jumped from the previous year, which is both a function of the town’s growth and effective messaging from his team.

“That growth is good and exciting and expected considering the growth that the town has seen generally,” he said.

The town will offer a leadership camp for kids for the first time this summer. The camp, which will run from July 1 to July 26, will focus on practical skills like fiscal responsibility, mental and physical wellbeing, and team building. It’s the first time the town has offered a camp geared toward real-world skills, and Polaski said it has generated significant interest among parents and other community members.

The Parks and Recreation department also plans to offer a STEM skills camp for kids in mid-July, as well as a number of sports camps throughout the summer.

Polaksi also gave updates on numerous projects included in the town’s capital improvement plan. New overhead lighting will be installed above field three at Wendell Park in July, while a new concession was just installed in May. Five new holes were added to the town’s disc golf course as well.

At Hollybrook Park, the shelter house is scheduled to be installed in early July. However, a few key items are slated for work later in the summer. The playground will be set up and the paving work will be completed in August.

Additionally, the town’s greenway project is set to soon enter its next phase. The design team is wrapping up the final stages of assembling construction documents for phase one of the Buffalo Creek Greenway. The town will soon open up the project for construction bids from local developers.

“These are items we are extremely excited about and we’ve been pleased with how these projects have progressed thus far,” Polaski said.

Polaski did touch on an important change that residents will see come July 1. The town will take over operation of the East Wake Regional Center on July 1. Formerly owned by the county, the center offers a host of programs and activities for community members.

Polaski assured the town board and those in attendance that all programs will be retained, at least for the first year of the town’s ownership of the complex while the programming options are assessed. Polaski also said that all paid instructors and volunteer employees will be retained.

“It’s very important that those who regularly come to the center not notice a big change,” he said. “We’re not taking away any of the programs that they have and we are not making major changes to the programs that they offer.”

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