Craven County approves $85,000 park improvements funded by Harold Bate Foundation grant

Craven County Commissioners on Feb. 17 approved accepting a $40,000 Harold Bate Foundation grant and providing a local match to fund a new picnic shelter and a second batting cage at County park facilities.

The project, presented by Mark Seymour of Craven County Recreation and Parks, responds to increased attendance in girls' youth softball and beach volleyball and a persistent practice bottleneck at Creekside. "Early youth softball share a single batting cage, creating a bottleneck during practices," Seymour said, adding that "members of Little League softball has already donated $5,000 to the batting cage project in December of 2024." The county will provide the required match, bringing the project total to $85,000, with $70,000 allocated for the picnic shelter and $15,000 for the batting cage. Officials said they expect both projects to finish in spring 2025.

County leaders described the shelter as a multiuse amenity that will benefit volleyball players, families and other park users. Commissioner comments at the meeting noted the Bate Foundation's earlier support of the county disc-golf course and welcomed the new amenities.

A motion to approve the grant acceptance and matching funds passed on a roll-call vote without recorded opposition. Commissioners said the funding will help the county host district and state tournaments by improving practice capacity and visitor amenities.

The recreation department said the county and private donations already received will be combined with the grant and match to fund construction; specific contractor or construction schedule details were not specified at the meeting.