By:
On:
In: Aldermen, Board of Aldermen, Civil Rights, Mayor, New Bern, Parks and Recreation
With: 2 Comments

Plans to raze Hurricane Florence-damaged Stanley White Recreation Center and build a new facility just off Neuse Boulevard are facing the prospect of a full environmental assessment that would require city officials to provide possibly embarrassing information that could jeopardize the project. The city — with Mayor Dana Outlaw and protege Alderman Jeffrey Odham leading the way — has been pushing for the project despite strong objections from residents in the area and aldermen who represent the vicinity. Federal officials said the project will require an Environmental Assessment, but said they should not worry, assuming that they did their due diligence in addressing community concerns.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Civil Rights, Commentary, Community, Community issues, Parks and Recreation
With: 3 Comments

After working diligently with community leaders from the Duffy field area for two years, receiving 8 million dollars in grant money from FEMA, and designing/quoting the project with an architect in totality, members of the New Bern Board of Aldermen want to re-locate the Stanley White Recreation Center. This may seem small if you are outside the community, but believe me when I tell you just how much this land means to the people who have grown up in the facility. I am seriously shocked at the city’s adamant attempts to relocate this major asset seeing as every opinion that they have carefully considered hasRead More →

By:
On:
In: Community, Community issues, Hurricane, New Bern, Parks and Recreation
With: 4 Comments

The city of New Bern has about $8 million at its disposal to spend on the Stanley White Recreation Center, which has sat unused and moldering while awaiting decisions on its fate since it was flooded during Hurricane Florence in September 2018. Some city leaders say the existing facility is too vulnerable to flooding. Rebuilding it would be putting good money after bad. In fact, the city had just put $1 million into the facility just before Hurricane Florence. To move things forward, the city spent about $440,000 to purchase several lots between Broad Street, Gaston Boulevard, Third Avenue, and Elm Street. Mayor Dana OutlawRead More →

By:
On:
In: Health, Parks and Recreation
With: 0 Comments

Effective immediately, all New Bern Parks and Recreation basketball courts, playgrounds, and shelters are closed until further notice. City Park open-space and trails remain open. These closures are being made to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. When visiting the parks, practice social distancing. For questions, please call New Bern Parks and Recreation at 252-639-2901.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Board of Aldermen, Parks and Recreation
With: 0 Comments

A sentimental favorite among parents and children past and present, Kidsville playground is no more. At least for now. Last week, the city announcement was posted on its Facebook page:“Kidsville, located at Seth West Parrott Park, was torn down today. This unique playground served the community well for 24 years. In April of 2018, the structure was closed due to extensive maintenance issues and safety concerns. All sponsor signage and name pickets were removed prior to demolition. “We are now preparing for the construction of Kidsville 2.0. Construction is scheduled to begin later this spring. Stay tuned for information on how you can be aRead More →

By:
On:
In: Board of Aldermen, New Bern, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Zoning, Public works
With: 0 Comments

UPDATE: Meeting cancelled due to approaching hurricane.   Editor’s note: Changes to how City Hall posts its agenda with background information has made it difficult to translate it into a single webpage. Below is the basic agenda, with New Bern Post editor notes in bold. To see the entire packet, go here. CITY OF NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING SEPTEMBER 11, 2018- 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL COURTROOM 300 POLLOCK STREET Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw. Prayer Coordinated by Alderwoman Harris. Presenting and Retirement of Colors by New Bern Fire and Police Departments. Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call. Request and Petition of Citizens.Read More →

By:
On:
In: Board of Aldermen, Community, New Bern, Parks and Recreation
With: 1 Comment

The City of New Bern will receive $475,000 to begin Phase I of Martin Marietta Park located on S. Glenburnie Road.  This funding will help kick off creation of the city’s largest ever park. The Governor’s Office released a list of 27 parks and recreation projects across the state that will receive funding through the NC Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, including Martin Marietta Park.    New Bern Parks & Recreation staff applied for the NC PARTF grant in May and learned last week that the City would be awarded funding.  The money will be used to install a children’s playground, boat launch, fishing pier,Read More →

By:
On:
In: Board of Aldermen, New Bern, New Bern Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, Public works
With: 0 Comments

Aldermen meet this evening to hold a public hearing into how the city will spend taxpayer and user fee money during the next fiscal year. This is the first budget for the newly coined Board of Aldermen, which met during budget workshops last week that lasted just over 11 hours. As presented by city staff, the draft budget is fairly status quo and would not result in any additional taxes or fees. However, City Manager Mark Stephens also laid out a number of steps aldermen could take to raise addition revenue to pay for new projects. (Fun fact: “Raise revenue” is boffin-speak for new feesRead More →

By:
On:
In: New Bern, New Bern business and commerce, Parks and Recreation
With: 1 Comment

City of New Bern News Release New Bern Parks & Recreation is looking for artists who need studio space.  The Artist in Residence program offers emerging to mid-range local artists the opportunity to work in an open studio with public interaction.  The open studio space is located at 408 Hancock St., formerly the New Bern Firemen’s Museum. The open studio space, located downtown, gives artists an opportunity to be a part of a growing art scene and to bring culture and vibrancy to our community.  Artists can apply for a rented studio space by completing an application. If approved, they’ll have access to 96 squareRead More →

By:
On:
In: Activities, Aldermen, Board of Aldermen, Mayor, Parks and Recreation
With: 7 Comments

Preliminary plans have been released for the proposed 850-acre Martin Marietta Park that depict something the size and scope of which would make it one of the most significant municipal parks in the state. Aldermen, the mayor, staff and advisers will meet upstairs at City Hall at 1 p.m. Monday to discuss the park and a proposed city redevelopment area and commission. (Link to agenda; note that the link has a limited shelf life.) As depicted in maps, Martin Marietta Park would include a large amphitheater, swimming area, boating area, hiking trails and numerous other features. The plan does not indicate how the city wouldRead More →