Inclusive Playground, Revamped Baseball Field & More...

Wake Forest plans Inclusive Playground, Revamped Baseball Field, a New Skate Park & Facilities at Smith Creek Soccer!

Ruben Wall is the bringer of great news.  A guy that works hard to provide opportunities for all residents of Wake Forest to participate in the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department!  

Mr. Wall, President of the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department visited the Wake Forest town board's recent annual retreat.  While he did not spend a lot of time at the podium he sure brought the heat.  He was sharing quickly about all of the goings on and let me share with you...there are a lot of goings on!  Buckle up and get ready, Wake Forest is about to get even better!

Let's start with the best news.  Holding Park is located on South Main Street and is home to the beautiful town pool.  Located among some of the most incredible homes and gorgeous old trees, the park is about to get a playground unlike any other in the area.  An inclusive playground.  Wall said, It will be a "fully ramped playground for people of all mobility ranges" including those people use wheelchairs.  When do we anticipate seeing folks out there using this new park?  We are hearing that it will be ready by summer.  A casual drive by the park, or a stroll if you are out walking, and you will see the town has fencing up announcing the park and work has commenced!  Shaded areas and inviting seating will be featured.  Wall added that the families that will use the park will benefit from "multiple sensory experiences, including tactile, visual, auditory, spatial and vestibular."  Did I mention the outdoor musical equipment?  Want to hear how we will pay for it?  The American Rescue Plan Act is fully funding the project to the tune of $955,000.  Wake Forest residents and those that own homes in neighboring towns or are just visiting will enjoy this incredible addition.  

$4.4 million.  Four point four million dollars!  That is a lot of money.  The spring of 2024 is coming soon.  What is coming with it?  The NEW Skate & Pump Park!  Where will the new skate park be located?  Currently a parcel of wooded land right by the assisted living center and the Northern Wake Senior Center will be the new home for skaters in Wake Forest.  I personally don't get the whole skating thing but I am thrilled that our town leaders attempt to provide an outlet for everyone's interests.  The town of Wake Forest is again working diligently to fund this project.  They are applying for a PARTF grant to the tune of $500,000.  So, what can one expect to see at this new park?  Skaters and mountain bikers and those BMX riders too...will enjoy future amphitheater and outdoor fitness equipment along with working restrooms.  But let's be honest, what they are really going to look forward to will be the rails, and ledges and ramps!

While I may not understand the skaters, I do understand this next project well!  Our friends at FUNGO Baseball are partnering with the town of Wake Forest to make great and much needed improvements to Field #2 at Flaherty Park!  What are these improvements?  Let's start with one that will allow MORE people to come watch games there.  An ADA accessible ramp that will lead people from the parking lot to the field and back!  New bleachers, a brand new PA system along with upgraded existing bleachers and dugouts.   What will all of this cost?  Important question, right?  The two entities will be sharing in the cost of $480,000.  Truth be told, we are big fans of FUNGO Baseball and all that they do to bring quality baseball to our town.  If you want to have a fun summer evening, go catch a game.  High likelihood that you will see Mayor Vivian Jones there as she is their number one fan!  

New lighting to be installed at the other Flaherty Park ball fields, along with the lighting at the tennis courts.  Why not just upgrade the current lighting was a question on everyone's mind.  Simple, that lighting equipment is now discontinued so time for new equipment.  Finally it is time to remove all of the portable commodes at Flaherty Park Pickleball & Tennis courts, Miller Park, Tyler Run Park and Smith Creek Soccer Center.  The town will be building new restroom facilities!