County’s Budget is Good News for Parks

Mecklenburg County Commissioners vote to invest in parks and green spaces with the approval of the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is the County’s five-year investment plan in current and future projects and facilities. Commissioners approved the Plan earlier this month.

The $4 billion, five-year Plan funds a range of projects from FY2024-FY2028, from Parks, to schools, courts and community resource centers, and libraries. The Plan covers the renovation or replacement of County-owned facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and land acquisition.

For Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, the Plan will fund reinvestment in existing and future parks, nature preserves, rec centers, and greenways; new or upgraded amenities at Parks across Mecklenburg County; and improved access to those parks, facilities, centers, and greenways.

“The County’s investment in the public’s parks and green spaces is really in investment in its people,” said Beth Poovey, Partners for Parks President. “And like any investment, it will pay off over time. We’re excited about the fruits these seeds will bear for the entire community.”

This year, the County is implementing a rolling CIP, meaning plans will be  reevaluated each year and adjusted to account for changes in construction costs, revenue estimates and the addition of new projects based on evolving priorities.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation priorities are based on the Department’s guiding principles set within the Meck Playbook. The Playbook is the Department’s Master Plan; the result of community input and Park and Recreation staff evaluations of priority projects. The CIP will fund 37, listed here on the County’s website. https://www.publicinput.com/S0843