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Wendell proclaims July 2025 Parks and Recreation Month; parks director reviews program growth, capital projects and greenway plans
Summary
Mayor Virginia Gray proclaimed July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month and Parks & Recreation Director Jeff Pulaski presented a year-end report showing growth in youth athletics, ongoing senior programs, summer food services, multiple capital projects and planning for new facilities and greenways.
WENDELL, N.C. — The Wendell Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation designating July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month and heard a year-end presentation from Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Pulaski outlining program growth, capital improvements and planned projects in the coming fiscal years.
Pulaski told the board the department saw steady participation in adult athletics and notable growth in youth athletics with increases in some sports (spring baseball and fall ball) and small declines in others (fall softball). He highlighted a long list of community-center offerings — from dance classes and Zumba to senior Tai Chi, a senior walk program, monthly medication counseling and the summer foods program that provides meals to children.
Capital projects and facilities
Pulaski reviewed park upgrades completed in the past year, including new fencing at Jack May and Doug Proctor fields, four lit pickleball courts, beach-volleyball sand replacement, a new weather station at Wendell Park (and Holly Brook Park), and construction completion of Hollybrook Park. Design work is complete for the Buffalo Creek Greenway, Main Street Greenway and the Wendell Athletic Field complex; staff are preparing construction bid packages. The Carver Community Center at Pleasant Grove design is complete with construction scheduled for 2025.
Planned investments and master plan
The parks department noted new neighborhood-park design work scheduled for fiscal 2026, a new recreation center design slated for FY 2026 with construction anticipated in FY 2027, and an updated parks and recreation comprehensive master plan included in the town budget for FY 2026. Pulaski said the department is returning indoor pickleball to the Community Center during high heat and continues partnerships for senior services, including SHIP (Seniors Health Insurance Information Program) and on-site pharmacist visits.
Board response
Commissioners asked about public access to the new weather station data (staff confirmed a live link on the town’s parks and rec web page) and praised staff for completing projects amid growing operational responsibilities. The mayor presented the proclamation and led a brief recognition of Parks & Recreation staff present at the meeting.
Ending
Pulaski closed by inviting questions and noting staff will return with construction bid information as projects move into procurement phases.
