BY DEBBIE PAGE
debbiepage.iredellfreenews@gmail.com
Again under the leadership of Director Emily Watson, the Troutman Parks and Recreation Department and Committee is concentrating on facility repairs and upgrades over the next few months, including installation of baseball field scoreboards, adding dugout roofs, upgrading ESC Park wifi, and planning for additional electrical for the future facilities.
Watson said she is refocusing efforts on filling staffing requirements and facility needs since the department’s programming is already strong. Several autumn events are planned, along with the weekly farmer’s market.
Coming up this fall are the Wicked Fast 5K on October 15 and the return of the Trails and Treats on Halloween after several years of COVID-19 cancellations. Both events are sponsored by D.R. Horton.
The Wicked Fast 5K will begin at the Downtown Depot on October 15 at 6 p.m. and run down the Richardson Greenway. To increase the fun, participants are asked to dress in their finest Halloween costumes for this family-friendly race for all ages and fitness levels.
All runners will be given a glow stick to make themselves visible as they run the flat course at dusk.
To register, go online at www.https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Troutman/VIRTUALWickedFast5K or register in person at Town Hall. The cost is $15, which includes a medal and T-shirt.
Contact Watson at ewatson@troutmannc.gov with questions.
On Halloween, the annual Trails and Treats event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Families can don their costumes and bring the kids to safely trick-or-treat at booths set up by local businesses and non-profits on the paved walking trail near the entrance of Troutman ESC Park.
Email Watson if your organization or business would like to participate.
Party in the Park events will return next year. Watson said the staff will be reaching out to nonprofit groups to partner with them for the popular events.
PARK UPGRADES
Watson shared the design for the two ball field scoreboards with the committee on Monday, made possible by a $20,000 donation from the Troutman Rotary Club, which will be recognized on the scoreboard for their contribution.
The scoreboards will cost about $17,000, with the remaining $3,000 covering the installation costs.
Though power has not yet been fully installed at the fields, Duke Energy can run temporary power to the scoreboards so that they can be installed sooner.
The Duke Energy engineer has visited the park with town officials and presented two options to run power to the field area. However, they require the permanent service to be attached to a building, an obstacle since the concession stand is still in the planning stages.
Another $20,000 sponsorship is expected toward putting roofs on the four dugout areas, which will cover about half of previously acquired estimates.
Watson said they are investigating other roofing options, including mesh tops used by the Crawdads minor league team, which provide UV and rain protection while still allowing air circulation.
Watson said the irrigation company has been called to repair some damaged irrigation heads in the fields. The staff is also waging war on fire ants, particularly at the volleyball courts.
The staff is additionally preparing for a fall over-seeding project to improve the grass and eliminate bare spots as well.
Watson is also planning to install a fenced dumpster area in a paved pad area near the baseball fields to eliminate the many rollout bins near the pavilion. The rollouts will still be used for events.
The committee also discussed seeking additional park sponsorships and grant funding for lighting upgrades and other park needs.
Contact Watson for sponsorship opportunities, including baseball fence signs and sponsoring various facility upgrades or equipment.