A grand recreation plan for the Town of Franklin-owned, 12.71-acre Whitmire Property has been discussed for several years. Already a disk golf course was on the property, and in August 2023, the first aspect of development, a skate park, was completed. At the Oct. 7 town council meeting, Chris Yang, Carolina Parks and Play, LLC, offered a detailed schematic of a proposed playground.
Yang provided a thorough slide presentation of a 12,200-square-foot, all-inclusive (physical abilities and handicaps) playground centering on a nature theme to complement the “aesthetics of the beautiful site,” noted Yang. “We plan to integrate rock on the site and have a log climber with chipmunks and squirrels [designs].”
Further, the expansive playground will include towers, different types of swings, a roller slide, both shaded and exposed areas for parents and guardians, and possibly a water feature – which Mayor Jack Horton suggested.
According to Town Manager Amie Owens, the playground development will go forward after the design/build contract’s final pricing details are ironed out. Currently, Town Attorney John Henning Jr., is working on that contract, which is expected to be available to present to the council before year’s end.
“In 2023, the public weighed in during four public meetings about the master plan for the playground,” said Owens, adding that Franklin received a N.C. PARTF (Park and Recreation Trust Fund) grant for $500,000, which requires a 50/50 match. Therefore, the Town of Franklin will put forth another $500,000 from the excess fund balance to meet the match requirement to pay for the more than $1 million playground.
“We will also do in-kind work to get the site ready,” said Owens, meaning Town of Franklin staff can achieve aspects of the initial development, such as site grading.
Yang informed the council at the Oct. 7 meeting that after given the green light to move forward on the playground’s development, Carolina Parks and Play will order materials, which takes about eight weeks to be delivered. Carolina Parks and Play handles all aspects of construction and assembly, which may take around three months. The playground could be open to the public by mid-2025.
“I can already see myself telling the kids it’s time to go,” said Henning when viewing the schematics that Yang presented at the meeting.
“This playground will be for all children,” said Yang. “It will allow for wheelchairs and mobility devices so that children can go anywhere on the playground, safe and fun. We feel strongly about our designs and what they mean to communities.”
“This will be an all-abilities playground where all kids can play together,” said Owens. “It will be a unique feature for our region. The closest playground like this is over in Waynesville, and unfortunately it has sustained damage due to Helene. Our playground will be a destination – an economic driver. People come to the area to participate in recreation activities, so they can take their children to a playground like this, stay for lunch, shop, and more.”
As Yang wrapped up his presentation about the playground, council member Stacy Guffey said, “I would like to see us build some partnerships, as it will certainly benefit county residents – not just the town. It would make sense to partner with the county, and this is a good place to start.”
Owens verified that since Highlands came to the Macon County Board of Commissioners in July and asked for $350,000 for its inclusive playground, she hoped that the county would also provide funds for the town’s playground.
“Because the better we do as a town, the better it impacts the county as a whole,” Owens pointed out. “There is a plan for an all-abilities playground at the recreation park at some point, but there is no reason we can’t have a few different playgrounds in our county.”