LOWELL, N.C. – The City of Lowell has received a $500,000 grant for a revitalization project for Harold Rankin Park. The City of Lowell was one of 19 local governments in North Carolina that was awarded funding.
About the Project
Harold Rankin Park is the most used recreational facility within the City of Lowell. The property is owned by the City and has served the community as a park since 1978. Harold Rankin Park is approximately 7-acres and features 2 baseball fields, a concessions/restrooms building, playground, basketball court, picnic shelter, exercise equipment, and a walking track.
Following several public input meetings and surveys in 2021 and 2022, a site-specific Master Plan was developed for Harold Rankin Park. The Master Plan will be implemented in a series of phases, as funding is available or secured.
Phase 1 of the project includes upgraded restroom facilities, a nature trail, pickleball courts, a bocce ball court, a new half-court basketball court, conversion of land to a multi-purpose field, and a playground expansion with upgrades. The playground will be designed to be universally inclusive and the restroom facility will be ADA / ABA compliant.
Future improvements will include: ballfield bleachers, ballfield dugouts, ballfield fencing, batting cage, parking and access improvements, paving and relocation of northern entry drive, a new concessions/restroom building, and an additional shelter.
Since 1994, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) awards matching grants to local governments for parks, public beach access, and improvements in state parks. The statewide program helps local governments reach their park and public access goals to improve the quality of life in their communities.
“This is an incredible opportunity for the City of Lowell, many of our facilities are aging and are in need of major upgrades.” said Parks and Recreation Director Cristy Cummings. “Harold Rankin Park is our most popular park and we are very excited to be able to make these needed improvements for the community.”
Contact: Scott Attaway, City Manager; 704-824-3518; sattaway@lowellnc.com