Covington Memorial Park Improvements
At a glance
- What: improvements to Covington Memorial Park funded in part by a $500,000 state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant.
- Where it stands: on October 12, 2026 the council added and approved Amendment Number 2 to the grant contract (No. 2024-1098, as captioned). The amendment drops the planned splash pad (unforeseen utility conditions and cost) in favor of an obstacle course, and cuts the required local match by $53,750, from $718,750 to $665,000. The grant award stays at $500,000.
- What's next: construction bid or contract will come back to the council later; a second state on-site inspection was requested for the weeks of October 12 or 19. The manager said engineers were asked to revisit playground equipment for ages 8 to 12 and updated costs are pending.
October 12 vote
- Homer Dearmin said the amendment arrived after the agenda package was published and was reviewed by Town Attorney Hugh Campbell. The state division approved the revised budget.
- A council member said he had no objection to spending less but objected to receiving the email at 5:25 p.m. the day of the vote; the manager said he had sent it earlier and offered to show the timing.
- Motion by Mark Lane, second by Eddie Horn; voice vote, no opposition audible.
October 13 town hall
- Officials said the first phase mainly replaces the playground equipment (moved further up from its current spot) and adds an outdoor fitness walking area; final plans had not yet been seen and the designers were still finishing them. The splash pad was dropped because of space, upkeep and a cost of roughly $300,000 to $400,000 for limited seasonal use.
- Spending is expected to be about $1.2 million to $1.3 million, with roughly $600,000 of town money matching the $500,000 state grant. Officials called the cost of playground equipment a surprise.
- Long term, officials would like a walkway around the pond using the property bought on the far side. Residents suggested durable metal equipment and accessible play features such as a wheelchair swing.
- Fishing at the pond is not allowed because of trash and liability from hooks. Mark Lane has suggested a supervised catch-and-release event for children; an official worried it would set a precedent. See also Greenway Connections.
Official minutes (July 13, 2026)
- Dearmin introduced John Courtney, Parks and Recreation Director, and Jen Dowling, landscape designer, from the consulting firm WithersRavenel, which has been preparing the primary plans for the park with staff. Once the final plan is approved the Town will seek construction bids. The grand opening is projected for summer 2027.
Discussion time
About 15 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - Mayor's Town Hall Meeting | 9 |
| 2026-10-12 - Town Council | 6 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - Mayor's Town Hall Meeting - Town hall Q&A on park plans: new playground, fitness area, cost near $1.2 million, no fishing, ideas for a later phase.
- 2026-10-12 - Town Council - Grant Amendment Number 2 approved: splash pad replaced by an obstacle course; local match reduced by $53,750; complaint about last-minute materials.
- 2026-08-10 - Town Council - Manager said geotechnical boring would take place at the park that week as part of the state grant requirements (from auto-captions).
- 2026-07-13 - Town Council - Consultants presented phase one schematic designs (enlarged playground, challenge course, picnic plaza), about $1.2 to $1.3 million with a $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant and a town match of about $771,000; bidding expected November or December and construction next spring. For discussion only, no vote (from auto-captions).
- 2026-10-27 - 2026-10-27 - Mayor's Town Hall Meeting: splash pad dropped for a challenge course and exercise area; playground designs being revised; completion expected within a year; phase two (pond walkway) awaiting funding.
- 2026-07-13 - Town Council - Minutes: WithersRavenel presentation (Courtney, Dowling); bids to follow final plan approval; grand opening projected for summer 2027.
- 2026-10-12 - Town Council - Draft minutes: PARTF Amendment No. 2 (Contract 2024-1098) passed 3-1; total cost down from $1,218,750 to $1,165,000, grant stays $500,000, local match $665,000.