This evening Lion Larry Jordan introduced our guest speaker. John Brown, Director of Parks & Recreation in Apex happens to be a long time friend of Larry. In fact, Larry was the Mayor of Apex in 1986 when John was hired. But tonight John was here to inform the club about the 2017 Parks Bond which will be on the ballot on Tuesday, November 7th.
The bond has four major projects.
Beaver Creek Greenway which completes a 4 mile long connection between Apex Nature Park and Apex Jaycee Park at NC 55 and connects 11 neighborhoods, 3 parks, 3 schools, and 3 retail shopping areas / employment centers.- Middle Creek Greenway which is a Regional Connection between Apex and Holly Springs. It provides a safe route to Lufkin Road Middle School and will connect to the new WCPSS High School. It will be 4.16 miles long connecting 6 neighborhoods, 1 retail center and 1 employment center
- Community Center Expansion / Senior Center. This facility will provide multipurpose rooms and activity areas, exercise rooms, office space for outside agency consultation and programs, an auditorium, a kitchen and informal activity space. This is needed to provide access to programs that has been unfulfilled in the past indicated by long wait lists for many of the current programs.
- Pleasant Park – This roughly 90 acre facility will include 6 multipurpose fields, 3 Softball fields, 1 Baseball field, 6 Tennis courts, 1 Outdoor Volleyball court, 2 Outdoor Basketball courts, a 5K Walk, Run or Cross Country course, a 1 acre water play area and multiple shelters and gathering area.
All four of these projects directly address the biggest requests from Apex residents and are intended to meet the needs of the town residents. But be aware that if the bond passes it will most certainly raise taxes. The town will continue to pursue grants and corporate naming rights which could minimize the impact, however. On average the impact will be approximately $123 per year which is equivalent to $10.25 per month.
In his opening and closing remarks Larry reminded us that as a town employee John cannot ask us to vote for or against anything. But Larry said “I can and I will ask everyone to vote for this bond!” For more information see the Town of Apex Parks Bond web site.