Keith Strange | The News

Dobson Mayor Ricky Draughn looks over potential designs for a community park in the town. The town’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a master plan during Thursday night’s meeting.

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DOBSON — The Dobson Board of Commissioners unanimously gave town administrators the nod to apply for a grant they hope will fund a community park in the town.

The action came as the board met for its regular monthly meeting in the Town Administration Building Thursday night.

Town Manager Josh Smith told the board that the park, now in its inception stage, is planned for a 2.2-acre area located at the corner of West Atkins and South Crutchfield streets.

The land is divided into two parcels, and existing structures include a parking lot and a building, which would be demolished during construction.

If funding for the park is approved, features would include a picnic shelter, playground, walking trail, a fountain and an ampitheater.

“We didn’t put anything in the park that the public didn’t ask for and say they wanted to see in the park,” he said. “We’ve conducted several input meetings and workshops on the proposal.”

He noted that the town is nearing the deadline to apply for nearly $500,000 in funding from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

While an exact cost of the planned green space will be determined as plans progress, the Parks and Recreation funding is expected to cover about half the cost.

“We will determine where the remainder of the money comes from as the process goes along,” Smith said. “We have several options — from private donations to using a portion of our fund balance.”

He noted that multiple public input sessions have been held on the proposal, and the town’s residents are “overwhelmingly in favor of the plan.”

“Right at 90 percent of the respondents want this park in Dobson,” he told the board.

The grant application will be submitted next week, and one of the requirements is for the submission of a master plan, which the board approved last night.

Smith told the board that he thinks the town has a good chance of the grant being awarded.

“We’re giving it our best shot,” he said. “We’re including everything they like to see.

“Because this is our first town application for this grant, the likelihood is we’ll be given an answer within the first grant cycle, which is in May.

“You never know what will happen in Raleigh, but we’ve done everything we can to maximize our chances,” Smith added.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.