Chestnut Street Park Beautification Project to proceed pending funding

Apr. 15—HENDERSON — Nestled in between N. Chestnut and W. Rockspring streets across from Davis Chapel Baptist Church sits Chestnut Street Park, a cracked and overgrown basketball court in desperate need of some tender love and care.

The courts as they are already draw in a sizable evening crowd, with upwards of 50 players looking to get runs in at day's end. But as it stands, there are no water fountains or bathrooms available at the park; a single port-a-potty sits adjacent to the courts bordered by an old, wooden fence. On hot Sundays, some players would have to interrupt the church service to grab a drink of water.

The park has seen better days. Originally built on the grounds of an old tobacco barn, Chestnut Street Park carries with it a rich history of Black excellence and pride. Davis Chapel Missionary, the church across the street from the park, was once a safe house for the Black Panther movement during the '70s. Randy Perry and others were pictured on this same court with Davis Chapel Church overlooking them in the background back in 1978.

Now several years removed from any form of remodeling, the old courts are in disrepair, with cracked concrete playing surfaces and uneven three-point lines. Rusted double-rims stare menacingly in front of old, faded backboards ready to chew up and spit out overly optimistic jump shots. An unused, abandoned concrete area sits behind the basketball courts overtaken by weeds bursting their way through the blacktop.

The church and the court are synonymous with each other and have both stood the test of time. Now, the park is getting a much-needed face lift, but it needs the help and support of the community to make it happen.

Upgrades include improvements to the playing surface, LED lights for nighttime hoops, seating areas for spectators, and modern, breakaway rims with glass backboards. The beatification project also plans on pushing back the fence line to allow for two, full-size basketball courts on one side, while still allowing room for a handful of pickle ball courts on the other.

By repurposing this under-utilized space and adding the necessary infrastructure for a safe recreational area, local residents hope to see a boom in activity during the warmer months.

Community-wide Advisory Committee chairman Charles Turrentine Jr. is organizing the fundraising of the park's remodeling as a way to give back to the community, and offer safer alternatives forms of entertainment in the city. He is running "Night Flight" Fridays every other week at the Aycock Recreation Center to raise money for the park.

It's $5 for an all-you-can-eat basketball buffet with pickup games running from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. included with a scoreboard, a running clock and a professional DJ. Games are highly competitive with the atmosphere attracting high school varsity players and other high-level hoopers from around the area.

Snacks and beverages are available for purchase and all proceeds go towards funding the park project.

Turrentine doesn't want the credit for the work that he's done for the park, but just wants to see it come to fruition. Despite arguments that may arise in competitive moments on the court, the park, he says, is all about love.

"Every kid that we can get to come [to Aycock] on Friday night is another kid we can potentially keep off the streets," said Turrentine.

Turrentine believes that by investing into infrastructure in and surrounding the park, it will improve the north side of Henderson as a whole.

"We get the bare minimum over here," said Turrentine, talking to a local resident near the missing gate at the entrance of the park.

State Rep. Frank Sossamon has also endorsed the project in a letter he wrote:

"The significance of this project extends far beyond mere aesthetics. By rejuvenating this public space, the Chestnut Street Park Beautification Project is fostering social cohesion and community engagement."

Sports and community recreation have proven to be a means of enacting social change through exercise and leisure. Turrentine hopes the park, which has historically served as a "white flag" and an olive branch of peace within the community, will carry on this tradition long after the refurbishing.

The project's fundraising goal is $100,000, but Turrentine said the most important thing they need is support from the local community.

"I don't need money, I need support," he said. "Just sharing, helping to get the word out. We just need to get the right set of eyes on this."

Those interested making a donation can visit the Chestnut Street Park Beautification page on GoFundMe.com.