Wade Park opens

Wilmington is a little greener tonight.

Mayor Bill Saffo and other elected officials cut the ribbon at Wade Park Thursday.

The City of Wilmington acquired the 17 acres of land at 3500 Bethel Road from New Hanover County in 2005. Since that time, it’s been transformed in to a stormwater wetland. The water that runs through the area is removed of pollution before it goes back in to Hewlett’s Creek.

Wilmington City Councilman Ron Sparks said, “This is great. We’ve got a combination of storm water cleansing; this is a way to stop pollution and also a way to have recreation.”

Margaret Haynes, a new member of the city council, stated, “The county owns the land, they’ve leased it to the city. It manages storm water and yet it provides recreational facilities for so many people”

Wade Park is named after former Wilmington Mayor James E.L. Wade. It’s also part of the city’s cross city trail project, which connects the city to the beach with a biking and walking path.