The grant will help fund the first phase of the Keeley Park Master Plan.

The NC General Assembly's Parks and Recreation Trust Fund has awarded a $500,000 grant to the City to help fund the Keeley Park Master Plan. The funds will be used for the development of the first phase of the park, which will include a recreation area along Rankin Mill Road and a second area featuring six restored ponds, fishing docks, a sprayground, playground, shelters and wetland interpretive area and trails.

Two additional areas are also included in the Master Plan: an active recreation area along Keeley Road with four ball fields, concessions, press box, a playground and a mountain bike training course, and a corporate picnic area with a shelter, playground, horseshoes, dog park, ropes course, disc golf course and volleyball courts. 

White Oak is Official City Tree

The City of Greensboro has long had an official flower, an official flag, and an official seal, but has never chosen an official tree -- until the July 17 Council meeting. Upon a recommendation from the Urban Forestry Committee of Greensboro Beautiful and the Advisory Commission on Trees, Council unanimously approved a resolution naming the White Oak as the city's official tree.

Chuck Mortimore, representing the Urban Forestry Committee, told Council members that on the morning before the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, General Nathaneal Greene's men camped around a white oak tree. That history, combined with the city's abundance of the stately oaks and the tree's role as a crucial natural resource in the founding of the nation and the Piedmont region of the state, led the groups to recommend it as the City's official tree.

Greensboro Selected for Smart Growth Assistance

Smart Growth projects are expected to start this summer.

Greensboro is one of six communities in the country selected by the Environmental Protection Agency to receive help in applying the principles of "Smart Growth." Under this federal contract, Greensboro will receive about $45,000 in direct assistance from a team of national experts organized by EPA and other partners to work with local leaders.

The City plans to use the EPA resources to direct growth toward downtown and inner neighborhoods, which helps preserve land on the edge of the city while making it easier for people to walk, bike or use transit options to reach their destinations. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia2007.htm.

News Updates

• The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources is proposing rules that would drastically affect the City's stormwater and wastewater practices, a measure called the Jordan Lake Rules. The Greensboro City Council has adopted a resolution opposing the Jordan Lake Rules and encourages residents to share their opinions with the State. For more information, visit the City's website at www.greensboro-nc.gov or the NCDENR website. Public comments are being accepted through September 14.
  
• Testing continues on soil at Barber Park to ensure that all possible safety issues are addressed prior to reopening the park. The City will hold neighborhood and community meetings to discuss the situation as final test results arrive. 

Questions or comments about this newsletter should be addressed to: Elaine Tricoli, Interim Communications Manager, 373-2421 or email.