Council tables park‑engagement contract; parks committee plans Revolutionary‑era public event

The Weddington Town Council on June 8 tabled, by unanimous consent, a proposed public‑engagement and survey contract with LaBella (presented for phase‑one vision alignment) after council members requested a clearer scope of work and research objectives.

Council members raised questions about how the survey would be conducted, sample sizes, outreach methods and timelines; one member said a two‑week implementation timeline in the draft appeared too short for effective public engagement. The council said it would ask LaBella to provide a revised scope outlining research objectives, outreach strategy, number and type of mailings or in‑person events, and deliverables before the town approves use of grant funds for design updates.

Separately, the new Park & Events Committee reported it held its first meeting on June 1 and is planning a public event titled “Weddington’s Revolutionary Legacy and Camp New Providence” for July 31–Aug. 1 as part of the town’s 250th‑anniversary activities. Committee chair Gail Butler said the event will include historical displays and youth outreach intended to connect residents to local Revolutionary‑era history.

Council members noted the park engagement work is prerequisite for a future grant application that requires an adopted plan; they agreed to request clarifications from the vendor and to reconvene the item once the scope is revised and the planner (when hired) has had an opportunity to review it.