Emails obtained by WWAY reveal disputed removal of Kiwanis Park playground equipment

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WWAY) — Newly released emails obtained through a public records request are shedding light on how playground equipment was removed from Hampstead Kiwanis Park and the confusion surrounding whether it was authorized.

As WWAY previously reported, Pender County leaders said the removal of the equipment was not approved and has been referred to law enforcement for review.

According to the emails, the situation dates back to December, when Hampstead resident Beth Butler contacted Pender County Commissioner Randy Burton about the possibility of repurposing playground equipment being replaced at Kiwanis Park for the Eagle’s Watch community.

Burton expressed support for the idea, saying he hoped usable equipment could be repurposed instead of thrown away, and asked county staff to explore options.

However, county officials raised concerns early on.

In a December email, Parks and Recreation Director Zach White told Burton and County Manager Colby Sawyer that the playground equipment was being replaced due to age, deterioration, and safety concerns. He said removing it for reuse could create liability issues, increase costs, and delay installation of new equipment.

White later told Butler directly that the county would not grant permission to remove any of the equipment, citing safety risks and liability concerns.

Despite that, emails show Butler continued working to secure the equipment for the HOA, suggesting volunteers could remove parts during demolition and asking for a liability release from the county.

In a January 20 email to Burton and White, Butler thanked them for what she described as their “leadership and follow through” in the “removal and transfer of the playground,” calling it a “great community event.”

But county leadership disputes that characterization.

In a January 23 email to commissioners, County Manager Colby Sawyer said Butler had been told on numerous occasions that the equipment could not be taken. He wrote that she may have falsely represented to a contractor that she had county approval.

A subcontractor’s account included in the records adds to that assumption.

In a statement emailed to White, a representative with Barrs Recreation said on January 19, several members of the public were at the site during demolition, including individuals who claimed they had permission from a county commissioner and from parks staff to take parts of the playground.

The subcontractor said they allowed work to continue to avoid confrontation, despite concerns the situation “did not seem appropriate.”

In a statement previously provided to WWAY, the county said: “Pender County did not authorize the taking of playground equipment from Hampstead Kiwanis Park, and the matter has been referred to law enforcement for review.”