Parks board reviews inventory of potential open-space parcels across Wilmington, plans planning-department follow-up

Members of the Wilmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on May 20 reviewed a citywide inventory of potential open-space parcels and asked staff to coordinate follow-up with the planning department.

Presenters said they applied selection criteria aimed at neighborhoods lacking a nearby park (a 10-minute walk), prioritizing underused city- and county-owned lands as well as privately owned larger parcels that could be purchased or conserved. They noted the northern downtown master plan and a 2013 comprehensive greenway plan that already identifies segments for protection and design.

Specific parcels discussed included a greenway corridor linking Love Grove to Ann McCrary Park (identified in the 2013 plan and currently under design for a section led by the WMPO), a 2.29-acre parcel at 906 Fanning Street that the presenters suggested could work for a dog park or community garden, an 87-acre tract described in the discussion as listed for $9.8 million, and a roughly 31-acre city-owned parcel adjacent to existing parkland that presenters favored for preservation and park development.

Presenters emphasized the need to coordinate with the planning department because some parcels may already be in development-review pipelines, subject to restrictions, or part of an active master plan. Board members asked staff to invite planning officials to a future meeting to review feasibility and constraints and to flag parcels that might already have pending applications.

The board additionally discussed community outreach and recent public engagement work, including a Greenville Loop Park event and an upcoming condensed session at Bradley Creek Elementary School (drop-in from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a short presentation at 6 p.m.) to reach nearby families and stakeholders.

Next steps: staff and board presenters will bring the parcel inventory to planning staff for technical review and return to the advisory board with recommendations on which sites may be viable for acquisition, conservation, or development.