Wilmington confirms purchase of 25‑acre site near Greenville Loop; public design process planned

WILMINGTON — City staff told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Feb. 18 that the city has completed the purchase of roughly 25 acres made up of four parcels off Greenville Loop Road and will move to a public design process for a future park.

Amy, a Parks and Recreation staff member who briefed the board, said the acquisition was funded primarily by a $7,000,000 grant from the New Hanover County endowment, with $1,000,000 contributed by the city and an additional $1,000,000 contribution from the county. She said city council voted unanimously in favor of the purchase and the county commission approved it 3–2.

The property, Amy said, advances recommendations in the city’s comprehensive plan and targets an area the plan identified as having relatively few existing park amenities. The parcel sits adjacent to Bradley Creek Elementary School; Amy said the grant requires a “very transparent and robust public engagement period” that specifically includes outreach to the school and the school system.

Staff described an initial public Design Charrette open to residents, landscape architects and design consultants. Amy said staff will use public input to prepare a concept plan and then advertise a request for qualifications for a design architect; she estimated the engagement and design phase would take about a year and noted the grant requires that the park be developed within five years.

Amy said the county’s contribution will be recognized on signage but that future maintenance and capital costs will be borne by the city. She cited examples of past joint purchases that are operated by either the city or the county to explain possible operational models, and said this purchase is intended as a city-led development with county partnership.

Board members raised questions about traffic safety, wetland and floodplain constraints, and whether adjacent parcels (including a church and additional lots) could be added. Amy said a wetland delineation and environmental review were completed during due diligence and that consultants will evaluate traffic and access during design. Franklin agreed to provide parcel IDs/addresses for additional sites the board suggested so staff and planning can research viability.

Next steps: staff will hold an engagement kickoff, solicit public input, issue an RFQ for a design architect based on that input, and work to include improvements in the city’s upcoming five‑year capital improvement plan.