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Ravenel wins Greenbelt approval for 23.9-acre greenbelt park; town seeks separate funds for 11-acre housing parcel
Summary
The Greenbelt subcommittee approved a reimbursement grant to the town of Ravenel to protect a 23.9-acre greenbelt portion of a larger 35-acre parcel and to fund initial park access work.
The Greenbelt advisory subcommittee voted to approve a reimbursement grant request from the town of Ravenel to preserve a 23.9-acre greenbelt portion of a larger 35-acre parcel and to support minor initial improvements.
Mayor Stephen Tumbleston presented the project, describing a total parcel of about 35 acres. The town asked Greenbelt to reimburse $276,600 for the 23.9-acre greenbelt portion and offered a 28 percent match. The proposal also included a $50,000 request for minor improvements intended to help create a boardwalk link across wetlands between the park parcel and an adjacent 11-acre parcel the town plans to acquire with other funds for future affordable housing.
Tumbleston said the 35-acre site includes roughly 5.69 acres planned for a passive park with picnic facilities and playground equipment, about 18 acres of freshwater wetlands and maritime forest centered on Middle Branch Creek, and an 11-acre parcel the town intends to secure separately for housing. The town described plans for a boardwalk to cross wetlands and connect park areas; subcommittee members asked whether a Corps permit would be required and whether $50,000 in minor-improvement funds was adequate to construct the crossing. Tumbleston said the crossing would be a county drainage easement and that town staff expected to secure permitting and additional funding as needed; he estimated the boardwalk distance at about 10,000 feet and said the municipality has other funding sources and planned grant applications.
Members discussed connectivity with nearby municipal projects including a planned town hall site and recently redeveloped ball field and train-depot park. A motion to approve the town's reimbursement request and associated minor improvement funding passed on voice vote.
The approval is a subcommittee recommendation to the full Greenbelt advisory board. The town and staff will complete required grant documents, any permitting and recorded deed restrictions as part of standard Greenbelt due-diligence and reimbursement procedures.
