Johnston County commissioners on Dec. 1 approved short‑term steps to receive and prepare a 313‑acre tract (Rose Dairy site) that a land conservancy intends to turn over to the county as a passive park. Parks staff said the conservancy (Triangle Land Conservancy) requires liability coverage while county staff and contractors perform initial site work and occupy an interim office; the estimated premium is about $3,600 for one year. The board moved, seconded and approved procuring the general liability insurance and authorizing the county manager to execute a lease with the Triangle Land Conservancy.

Parks staff also reported on the 2025 Open Space Fund cycle: nine applicants and 14 project proposals totaling $364,065.72 in requests. Staff recommended awarding funding to 13 projects with a total allocation of $352,565.22 (25% match required). A commissioner moved to approve the staff recommendations and the board adopted the awards by voice vote.

Parks staff additionally announced a regional park groundbreaking at 444 Matthews Road scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. and invited the public.

What’s next: Insurance will enable initial site work at Rose Dairy and county staff will execute the lease; parks staff will move forward with the awarded open-space projects and the upcoming regional park groundbreaking.