Mount Holly closes out Ransom Hunter Park project; officials report daily visits rose by about 350 since opening

Mister Smallwood, speaking at the Mount Holly City Council meeting, gave a verbal closeout update on Ransom Hunter Park and said the city has received final reimbursement and is formally closing out the project.

“Some of the uniqueness of this park property…is the Freedom Rock that anchors the corner of the park,” Smallwood said, noting site features that reference Ransom Hunter’s former homestead and family-planted flowers. He said the city replanted an oak where a special tree had fallen and used wood from the fallen tree to build benches.

Smallwood described construction choices: a 100% custom playground that includes a white structure echoing the front of the historic house, horse- and farm-themed elements tied to the site’s history, and a pour-in-place (PIP) rubber playground surface. He said staff added sodding, irrigation and a 16-by-16-foot shade sail while staying on or under budget.

The park held a grand opening on Sept. 20 that Smallwood said drew about 200 guests, including family members and community stakeholders. Since opening, he reported Placer AI-derived metrics show an increase of roughly 350 daily visitors in the park area and average dwell times of about 62 minutes. Smallwood said daily visits now range from roughly 200 on slower days to about 600 on Saturdays, where walkability and proximity to a farmers market helped usage.

Councilman Ivory Craig asked whether staff had followed up about access to the historic hearth and foundation. Smallwood said the area “was never intended to be a play structure or, actually even have anybody enter into it,” and staff will install signage and address the situation immediately.

Smallwood credited prior committee work and family involvement during the design process and said maintenance staff and contractors helped deliver the park’s unique features.