Town setting priorities for $20 million parks bond

Jan. 5 – The Cornelius Parks & Recreation Board is forwarding its recommendation to the Town Board outlining which capital projects should be prioritized as part of the $20 million bond approved by voters in 2024. Bond sales are expected to total about $10 million in January 2027, $6 million in 2030 and $4 million in 2033.

The bonds must be issued over time to comply with debt ratio laws governing the town.

Phase I

The top priority in the 2027 bond allocation is $7 million for land acquisition on the east side of town. The parks master plan calls for two parks larger than 100 acres in areas east of Highway 115, in the general areas north and south of Bailey Road.

The town has no immediate plans for the acreage, and its final use will largely depend on topography. Flatter parcels could be developed into athletic field complexes, while more varied terrain would likely be preserved as passive recreation areas.

Second on the list is $1.9 million for improvements to the multipurpose field at JV Washam Elementary School, including lighting and a restroom facility. The grass playing surface could be replaced with artificial turf through partnerships with the town’s youth sports operators.

The third priority is $90,000 to construct the 0.4-mile Stratford Forest Greenway connection between the McDowell Creek Greenway and Northcross Drive Extension. Mecklenburg County would also contribute to the project.

Finally, $950,000 in bond funds would be used to design and construct restroom and shade structures to complete the new tennis and pickleball court complex at Bailey Road Park.

Phase II

Priorities for the 2030 bond sale begin with $3 million for additional park land acquisition in the same area of town as the first phase.

Another $2.5 million would be allocated for construction of a new recreation center at Cornelius Elementary School. That project is being coordinated with the construction of a new elementary school, and its timing could be affected by county scheduling.

Remaining funds include $500,000 for design work for the next phase of Robbins Park and $60,000 to design the 0.7-mile Westmoreland Greenway connection between the Alexander Farms development and Rosalyn Glen Road.

Phase III

The recommendation in 2033 includes $3 million for construction at Robbins Park, which would feature two multipurpose grass fields, a 5K cross-country course, a disc golf course, parking lots and a restroom facility, as well as $450,000 for construction of the Westmoreland Greenway.

What’s next

The recommendation spans nearly 10 years into the future, and priorities could shift — particularly in phases two and three — based on several factors. For example, phase two land acquisition could move up or be delayed depending on land availability and other market conditions.

On the positive side, additional projects could be added to the plan. The town previously supplemented funding from a $5.25 million bond sale in 2013 by securing more than $5.25 million in grants, resulting in additional construction projects.

Parks & Recreation is presenting the recommendations to the Town Board tonight at its Jan. 5 meeting, with a vote expected Jan. 20.