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Pender County residents push for more parks

Submitted by WWAY on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 9:45am.READ MORE: Pender County residents push for more parks
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The Pender County Commission is working with the community to build more parks. In addition to filling the gap in the lack of green space, residents say a park would provide a productive outlet for kids. "When we open the paper, we see that there's desperately a need. They don't have nothing to do, and the main attraction in Burgaw for them is the courthouse, the jailhouse and the prison house," said Johnny Stringfield. According to the most recent statistics published by the state Department of Justice, for the second year in a row, overall crime in Pender County is up. The hope is that more parks would mean less crime. Pastor Ben Artis said, "We see a lot of young children come and go. We see them come up, grow up, get teenagers and they're off to jail. We feel if we had some kind of entertainment, some kind of recreation, to keep their minds occupied, to keep them doing something, then they wouldn't get in so much trouble." Artis has offered up a portion of three acres of land he owns to the county for a basketball court. The planning board is looking at zoning to see if it is allowed, so that a solution might come sooner than the board's 2010 timeline. Still, county officials say, a new park is in Pender's future; just how to get the funding and where the park will be are both still question marks. The new park plan is set to be discussed at the Pender County Parks and Recreation's next meeting on November 19th.

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"They don't have nothing to do"

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 6:15am.
That's a reason to use public dollars to build a park -- so the misled youth will have something to do? Before you start spending tax dollars, why not hold parents accountable for the behaviour of their children? If the parents are held accountable, then perhaps the parents will get involved in the activities of their children. How will a park keep them from crime? How will it differ from the mall, where thousands of parents drop off their children on Saturday for hours of unsupervised activities. Why not have the parents organize some youth Little Leagues? Why not organize a Boys and Girls Club which could use the school gymnasium for basketball games and craft sessions? Why does it always come down to spend the tax dollars; create an edifice; and then parents walk away from the real problem -- lack of interest and involvement in their child's life and activities? As Common noted, look at other areas where dollars are spent on parks; no reduction in crime. Quit looking for a public dole to solve problems that begin in the home and could be addresses in the home.
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you are part of the

Submitted by all for the rec center and more parks (not verified) on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 11:02am.
you are part of the problem,when we don't have a concern about our children and we have people like you knocking positive ideals.
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You are the problem

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 11:38am.
How does calling for increased parental involvement in the child's life make me part of the problem? How does advocating youth sports leagues, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Scouting make me part of the problem? The problem is so many, like you apparently, would allow parents to abdicate their parental responsibilities and place the burden on the public. There is the problem. And, no amount of park building will overcome youth crime issues and truancy until Parents step up to the Plate and become part of the solution.
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Can't believe these people

Submitted by Shocked at Other's Attitudes-Ranting as a Reply (not verified) on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 8:39pm.
It's hard to believe that there are people who think like these two. More parks=More crime? "Finish what is started"? It's shocking that someone actually thinks like this. How can you compare Chicago and NYC to Pender County? "Finisher" and "More" must be the typical selfish Hampsteadeans who could care less about the rest of the County residents that have practically nothing for parks and rec investments-Do you know that parks are always improving and never really get "finished"- So instead, the County should wait for 20 years for Kiwanis Park to "finish" and stiff the rest of the County residents? If it weren't for the jerks in Belevedere who fought and squashed the expansion of the sewage plant that could have served a community and athletic complex at Kiwanis Park which could have helped Kiwanis park to get closer to being "finished"- Oh-I wonder if "Finisher' lives in Belvedere? Looks like it-or at least nearby. Hey "More Parks", crawl out of your bunker and go say what you gotta say to the County Commission and save everyone a lot of wasted time and money and close all the parks down-oh yeah almost forgot, leave your gun in the truck too when you come to the next meeting.
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Skip your thorazine today?

Submitted by Commonsensenotc... on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 1:09pm.
My, my! Such anger because other people disagree with you! Anyway, glad I could inspire it.
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I'm amazed

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 5:02am.
I was not the subject of her rant. Of course, just wait, I will be. How dare I propose parents be involved in their child's life? That must make me part of the problem. I guess instead of parents being involved, some will feel it's better to station resource officers or fish & game officers at the parks.
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More parks = more debt = higher taxes

Submitted by Commonsensenotc... on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 2:16pm.
Most of Pender County is rural, open country or heavily wooded. God gave you some of the biggest "parks" you could ask for. BTW, whoever thinks that more parks equals less crime needs to take a look at Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. More parks simply equates to more crime IN the parks.
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yeah

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 6:16pm.
I own a 2 acre "park". Its not quite what my Grand daughter thinks is a park. There are a ton of woods around me but at 3 I don't want her playing in them. As for all the other "park" areas here, I do not want to get arrested or shot. I know of no parks near me in Rocky Point. Maybe the elementary school (if they even have swings etc.)but isn't that considered trespassing after hours? Closet one to me is in New Hanover county. Pender parks & Rec. have 2 listed and they are many miles from here. Now if you want to talk trailer parks............
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If you have two acres, Das

Submitted by Commonsensenotc... on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 1:15pm.
You could build that kid the greatest park she could ever ask for! For very little money you could build her everything from an off the shelf mega-gym set to a miniature duplicate of the Parris Island Confidence Course! When she gets older, you could convert it to a small dirt track for her dirt bike. You don't want her associating with the riff-raff. Head lice and pinworms are all it'll get you!
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LOL

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 3:38pm.
If you knew how much money and time we spent getting a nice plush green lawn the thought of a miniature duplicate of the Parris Island Confidence Course sounds like a big NO. Never mind a dirt track. We got her a nice swing set and sand box, just doesn't compare to a park.
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Lawns! Biggest waste of money known to man!

Submitted by Commonsensenotc... on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 5:20pm.
If you're not going to build that park for your granddauaghter, plow it up and plant some crops. My lawn is about the size of a postage stamp now, because I planted fruit and nut trees. Eating fresh peaches, plums, and pecans is MUCH better than mowing grass. I still don't see what she can do at a park that she can't do at your home.....and remember this - the only pee in that sandbox is HERS. The ones at public parks are like used Petri dishes!
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LAWN

Submitted by Das Weibstück on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 10:06am.
Must admit it becomes more of a pain every year, due to age I guess. My neighbors would just love a huge corn field in the neighborhood. Maybe I could hire some illegals too and let them live in the shed. bahahaa
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Das....right

Submitted by Hope101 (not verified) on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 1:10pm.
My concern is where does Pender County commissioners plan to put the park? Rocky Point is in need of a municipal park. One that houses soccer fields, ball parks, playgrounds, dog park, basketball courts and picnic shelters to hold birthday parties, reunions, etc. Currently the YMCA and the Brigade Boys & Girls Club host the afterschool programs. But their space is limited and resources are scarace. It would be nice if a facility from one or the other of these community organizations could be built to have a place for children and teens to go. A place with a positive atmosphere. Many residents of Rocky Point have to travel to Wilmington or Burgaw to have their children participate in sports. Of all the children in Pender County, I think a municipal park would quickly fill. Imagine the money that could be brought in by concessions, the registration fees, but all that aside, the happiness and smiles on children and teens faces as they make that goal, hit a home run, or just having a blast at their best friends B-day party.
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Finish the ones already started

Submitted by Guest2007 (not verified) on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 12:12pm.
New parks would be nice but even better would be to finish the ones already started. How about light on the other fields in Hampstead goal post for the football pratice fields more playground equipment like was planned.
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