Board hears Evans Park master-plan pitch; committee seeks $150,000–$200,000 for landscape architect and $1.4 million option with schools

County planning and parks committee members presented a multi-part plan to update Evans Park and provide short-term recreational options while a master plan is developed.

Presenters told the board that Evans Park has deferred maintenance and safety problems with amenities including a track the Virginia High School League has condemned, playground equipment needing replacement, damaged pavilions and a dock in need of repair. The committee recommended hiring a landscape architecture firm to lead site analysis, community engagement and concept design, producing a master plan and cost estimates to guide staged investments.

Presenters said the board had $75,000 in the budget for planning but that interviews with firms indicated a realistic budget for the master-plan work would be roughly $150,000–$200,000. They recommended interviewing five firms and deciding whether interviews should be public or conducted in closed session.

As an interim option, presenters discussed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Halifax County Public Schools under which the county would repair the high school's track and tennis courts and open them for community use. An initial MOU cost "about $1,400,000" was referenced as an upper-end estimate; presenters suggested a smaller stop-gap package focused on the track and courts — about $800,000 in combined estimates based on contractor quotes for the track and preliminary numbers for courts.

The committee asked the board for a consensus to proceed with the plan, direction on the MOU and permission to interview and recommend two top landscape architecture firms. Board members emphasized getting water and sewer issues resolved on larger projects first and suggested consolidating recreation and planning committees for community input. Ending: The board did not vote to commit the larger funds during the meeting; presenters were asked to return with firm recommendations and clearer budget proposals.