Parks and Rec lands $1 million in federal money

Cornelius Parks and Recreation will receive $1 million in federal funding to help construct a multiuse path along Catawba Avenue.

The infrastructure earmark was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, R-N.C., and included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 7148), which was signed into law last week.

The funding will support, but not fully cover, the widening of existing sidewalks between Interstate 77 and Main Street. The current sidewalks were built more than 20 years ago as part of downtown improvements.

Preliminary plans call for a 10-foot-wide multiuse path that will begin on the south side of Catawba Avenue and cross to the north side, though exact locations have not yet been determined.

The roughly 1-mile stretch will move the town closer to completing the 13-mile Emerald Necklace greenway and multiuse trail loop. The remaining gaps are expected to be filled through state funded road-widening projects on West Catawba Avenue and Sam Furr Road.

A targeted completion date has not been set. Town officials estimate it will take at least two to three years to begin construction, and additional local funding will be required.

Bailey Road Park delay

Winter weather has delayed completion of turf installation at Bailey Road Park, and town officials expect the full reopening to be pushed back a week.

Contractors are now expecting the reopening of both fields on Feb. 23, a week later than expected. The town is working with crews in hopes of reopening one field as scheduled on Feb. 16, with the second field expected to follow the next weekend.

Northern towns meeting

Parks departments and advisory boards from Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville will meet June 15 to discuss regionalism and partnership opportunities. The three towns last met two years ago.

Previous meetings helped spur the revitalization of a county-funded recreation center, ultimately leading to the opening of the Northern Regional Recreation Center.