Build a Real Playground for Elizabeth City’s Kids

The Issue

We’re asking the City and Parks & Recreation to commit to building a new, inclusive playground — one where kids of all abilities can play side by side, not in a separate corner.

Why this is achievable now:

• State grants (like the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund) and national nonprofit build programs actively fund projects like this — but they require a visible community ask and a city application first.

• This isn’t a decade-long capital project. With community pressure and the right grant partner, a build can happen within months, often through a single-day volunteer build event.

Where it could go:

Three real, existing public green spaces are worth the city evaluating:

1. Elizabeth Street Triangle Park — small, city-owned, currently underused. Realistic size for a first, compact playground.

2. Charles Creek Park — already has an aging small playground. A strong candidate for an inclusive replacement/expansion.

3. Northeastern Park — mostly athletic fields today. Worth asking if there’s room to add dedicated play space for that side of town.

Sign this petition to show City Council that Elizabeth City families want this — and want it now.

Linea JohnsonPetition Starter

Media inquiries

131

Let’s get to 200 signatures!

Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Issue

We’re asking the City and Parks & Recreation to commit to building a new, inclusive playground — one where kids of all abilities can play side by side, not in a separate corner.

Why this is achievable now:

• This isn’t a decade-long capital project. With community pressure and the right grant partner, a build can happen within months, often through a single-day volunteer build event.

Where it could go:

Three real, existing public green spaces are worth the city evaluating:

1. Elizabeth Street Triangle Park — small, city-owned, currently underused. Realistic size for a first, compact playground.

2. Charles Creek Park — already has an aging small playground. A strong candidate for an inclusive replacement/expansion.

3. Northeastern Park — mostly athletic fields today. Worth asking if there’s room to add dedicated play space for that side of town.

Sign this petition to show City Council that Elizabeth City families want this — and want it now.

Linea JohnsonPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Support now

131

Let’s get to 200 signatures!

Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Decision Makers

Stacy Williams,

Director of Parks and Recreation

Responded

“Thank you to everyone who signed the petition expressing support for an inclusive playground in our community. Your advocacy demonstrates a shared commitment to creating recreational spaces where children and families of all abilities can play, learn, and connect together. We appreciate your passion and recognize the importance of this investment. We understand the desire to see an inclusive playground built within the next few months. While we share the vision of making this project a reality, a playground of this caliber requires careful planning to ensure it serves the community for decades to come. The first step is identifying the right location. Site studies must evaluate available space, accessibility, environmental conditions, utilities, drainage, safety considerations, and long-term maintenance needs. An inclusive playground also requires a significantly larger footprint than a traditional playground to accommodate a wide range of accessible play experiences, gathering spaces, pathways, and supporting amenities. Adequate parking, including accessible parking, pedestrian connections, and safe access for families and caregivers, must also be incorporated into the design. In addition to selecting an appropriate site, each location requires detailed planning and engineering to ensure the playground meets accessibility standards, complies with local and state regulations, and integrates with existing park infrastructure. These important steps take time but are essential to creating a safe, sustainable, and truly inclusive destination for the entire community. Taking the time to complete this planning process also allows the Parks and Recreation Department to build momentum for the project and pursue additional funding opportunities. While grant funding is an important component of many large park projects, the application process is often lengthy and highly competitive. Many grant programs have specific requirements that must be met before an application can even be considered, including site-specific master plans, engineering and feasibility studies, cost estimates, conceptual designs, environmental reviews, and documentation demonstrating community need and support. These requirements take time to complete, but they significantly strengthen the project's competitiveness for state, federal, and private funding opportunities. By completing the necessary planning and due diligence upfront, the Department will be better positioned to leverage local investment, attract alternate funding partners, and maximize outside funding sources to deliver a high-quality inclusive playground that meets the community's needs. As part of this effort, the Parks and Recreation Department is currently conducting a Department Comprehensive Plan study and Enfield Park Site Specific plan. This planning process will help guide future investments in parks, trails, recreational facilities, and playgrounds throughout our community. Public participation is a critical component of this study, and we encourage every resident to complete the community survey. The feedback received will help identify priorities, determine where future amenities are most needed, and ensure that future park improvements that include inclusive playgrounds, reflect the needs and desires of the community. Your support is an important part of this process, and we encourage you to remain engaged as we move from vision to planning and ultimately to construction. By taking the necessary time to identify the right site, complete thoughtful planning, and pursue additional funding partnerships, we can create an inclusive playground that is not only built successfully but serves our community for generations to come. We sincerely appreciate your continued advocacy and look forward to working together to make this vision a reality. Stacy Williams, CPRE Director of Parks and Recreation ECPC Parks and Recreation”

Stacy Williams

Director of Parks and Recreation

Responded

Kirk Rivers,

Elizabeth City Mayor

North Carolina

Kirk Rivers

Elizabeth City Mayor

Elizabeth City Council,

7 Members

North Carolina

Ronnie Morris