Pender County is building a new park and expanding another. Here's what you can expect.

Madison Lipe, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
Pender County plans to expand Hampstead Kiwanis Park that is located on Sloop Point Loop Road. The expansion will add 26 acres to the 54-acre park.
Pender County plans to expand Hampstead Kiwanis Park that is located on Sloop Point Loop Road. The expansion will add 26 acres to the 54-acre park.

Pender County has been working to improve the county’s resources due to the growth. The county's Capital Improvement Plan addresses different areas for the upcoming years and parks are an area of focus.

The plan includes a new park as well as an addition to the existing Hampstead Kiwanis park.

Here are the details on each project.

New Central Pender Park

The new Central Pender Park will be located on U.S. 117 just outside of Burgaw.

The first phase of the project will cover construction of site utilities, restroom and concession stand, picnic shelter, playground, four multipurpose fields with lights and a multi-use path and parking lot.

The county is under contract with Pond & Company for the project. Design began in October 2023. The project has a planned groundbreaking this October.

The estimated cost, according to the county, is over $5.5 million.

More: Hampstead is getting a new library. Here are the details on size, location and cost.

Addition to Hampstead Kiwanis Park

Pender County will also be making the phase four addition to Hampstead Kiwanis Park within the next year. This will add 26 acres to the existing 54-acre park.

The expansion will provide two multipurpose fields, six tennis courts, four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, a multi-use path, playground, lawn game area, picnic shelter and restroom facility as well as parking.

The county is under contract with Stroud Engineering for the project and plans to have the design portion completed next month.

In June, bidding and financing for the project will begin with a planned groundbreaking for November.

The planned grand opening for the addition to the park is in September 2025.

The estimated cost for the design, engineering and construction is $3.7 million. The county has spent $12,000 on the project so far.

The county received $500,000 each for the two projects from a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Pender County plans for a new park, additions to current Kiwanis park