Cabarrus Today

The City of Concord has announced that its first park in the northwest area will be named J.E. "Jim" Ramseur Park, in honor of former Council Member Jim Ramseur. This announcement was made during a ceremony dedicated to Ramseur, recognizing his extensive public service career spanning 31 years.

Ramseur served on the city council for two decades, from 1995 to 2015, after completing his service in the United States Air Force. The decision to name the future park after him was made by the City Council as a tribute to his contributions.

"Jim is someone who believes in Concord and has believed in our city his whole life," stated Mayor Bill Dusch. "He has always recognized our city's potential for development, making the naming of this new park a fitting tribute to his service and dedication."

The Concord Parks and Recreation Department organized a private ceremony at Cox Mill Elementary School to honor Ramseur. During this event, Mayor Dusch highlighted several of Ramseur's achievements and contributions to the community.

Throughout his tenure on the city council, Ramseur played an essential role in planning for Concord's growth and advocating for more parks and greenways. His efforts contributed significantly to projects such as Dorton Park, Hector Henry Greenway, McEachern Greenway Extension, downtown greenway connector, and Weddington Road Bark Park.

Present at the naming ceremony were Council Members Brian King, Ella Mae Small, JC McKenzie, Jennifer P. Hubbard, John Sweat Jr., City Manager Lloyd Payne, Assistant City Managers Josh Smith, Pam Hinson, LeDerick Blackburn; Parks and Recreation Director Bob Dowless; former City Manager Brian Hiatt; former Council Member Dave Phillips; and former Mayor Scott Padgett.

Former Mayor Scott Padgett shared memories of working with Ramseur: “Jim and I served together for a long time in elected office but I’ve known him for more than fifty years;” he said. “There is nobody that loves Concord any more than Jim Ramseur."

Padgett praised Ramseur’s deep knowledge of Concord’s history and his influence on various projects within the city including street renaming initiatives like Concord Parkway and construction projects such as Brown Operations Center and City Hall.

“We would not be successful and Concord would not be where it is today without Jim’s guidance,” Padgett remarked.

A native of Concord with deep roots in Cabarrus County Lutheran heritage dating back seven generations, Jim Ramseur graduated from Concord High School in 1964 before attending University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He resides with his wife Terry; they have two children - JD Ramseur & Beth Ramseur Myers.

Background information about Jim Ramseur Park indicates it was one recommendation from Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan adopted by City Council back in 2017 aimed towards addressing growing needs within rapidly expanding northwestern region via enhanced services/programs offerings through establishment/development processes initiated following acquisition undertaken year later i.e.,2020 when site purchased accordingly whilst subsequent public input surveys yielded valuable feedback comprising over thousand responses along five hundred written comments guiding design/development phases ongoing presently intended serve diverse age groups starting three upwards upon completion anticipated near future aiding local community recreational pursuits comprehensively going forward thereafter effectively sustainably holistically altogether