Cabarrus Today

The Concord City Council is inviting public input on the development of a master plan for Parks and Recreation Department facilities in the Academy-Gibson Village area. This initiative aims to enhance recreational opportunities by guiding decisions on facility preservation, renovation, and the addition of new features to improve visitor experience.

The Academy-Gibson Village Park Master Plan will focus on both short-term and long-term improvements. It will address renovations, new amenities, and pedestrian and bicycle connectivity. The plan encompasses several sites including the Academy Recreation Center, Webb Field, McInnis Aquatic Center, McAllister Field, Gibson Field, the Village Greenway, and other properties owned by the city near Kerr Street close to Downtown Concord. Collectively these sites cover 21.45 acres.

Residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey available at publicinput.com/AcademyGibson until January 9, 2022. The deadline for submitting comments has been extended through January 23, 2022.

In response to a growing population's need for greater access to public facilities, Concord adopted a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan in 2016. Since then, individual master plans have been developed for six parks: Caldwell Park, Wilson Street Park, Dorton Park, David Phillips Activity Center, Jim Ramseur Park, and Hartsell Park.

Additionally, one cent of the tax rate—approximately $1.41 million—is allocated annually for planning new parks and enhancing existing ones along with expanding greenways and connectivity systems.