Harnett County adopts Northwest Harnett Park master plan, greenlights phased design

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — The Harnett County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 16 adopted a master plan that lays out amenities and a phased build schedule for a proposed 28‑acre Northwest Harnett Park.

John Blasco, a landscape architect and senior project manager with WithersRavenel, told commissioners three concept plans were developed from community input and that “concept A was the preferred choice.” Blasco said the final plan envisions walking trails, a playground designed for inclusivity, restroom/shelter facilities, an amphitheater, pickleball courts, and a phased wheeled‑sports area such as a pump track.

Blasco described the plan as a community vision rather than a construction estimate. He said the total vision for buildout is about $8–8.5 million, with Phase 1 — which would include a parking lot, playground and restroom building and account for required site infrastructure such as a septic field — estimated at roughly $3.84 million. “This is just really a vision for what this park could be, what the community wants,” Blasco said.

County staff emphasized that the board was being asked to adopt the master plan as a guiding document only and not to commit construction funding at the meeting. A county staff member summarized that the plan will be used to pursue grants and to program work into the county’s capital improvement plan. The board voted to accept the master plan.

Next steps include using the adopted document to pursue grant funding and to stage design and construction in phases as community priorities and available funding dictate. County staff noted that the site currently lacks sewer service, which drives some Phase 1 costs, and that if sewer service is extended in the future that could change the project budget.

The board’s adoption provides an official framework for seeking outside funding and incorporating the project into future CIP budgets.