Article in Voice - Nags Head wins 1 million in grants to start Dowdy

Nags Head wins $1 million in grants to start Dowdy Park

By Outer Banks Voice on November 17, 2015

The plan incorporated elements of three ideas offered for public discussion. (Town of Nags Head)

The park will feature a centralized green space and gazebo for events, a multi-purpose playing field, sport court, fitness and walking trails, children’s play areas and gardens.

With $1 million in grant funding, the Town of Nags Head will soon begin the first phase of construction on Dowdy Park.

The grants — $750,000 from Trillium Health Resources and $250,000 from the Dare County Tourism Board — will help pay for infrastructure, including site prep, parking and stormwater drainage. The money will also go toward the events plaza, the gazebo and a central multi-use turf area, a portion of the fitness trails and playground spaces.

Bought by the town for $1.5 million in 2013, the 5-acre property was once Dowdy’s amusement park. What was left of the rides were hauled off and the old arcade building was used for firefighting practice.

Plans are to develop a park for all ages. The site at the corner of S. Croatan Highway and Bonnett Street is across the street from the Outer Banks YMCA and next door to Nags Head Elementary School.

A park plan was approved by Nags Head’s Board of Commissioners in March 2015 with suggestions from the public.

It will include a centralized green space and gazebo for events, an events plaza to host craft fairs and similar activities, a multi-purpose playing field, sport court, fitness and walking trails, formal and informal children’s play areas and gardens.

Also envisioned are creative components such as interactive art exhibits, art panels and rotating art displays.

The park will be designed for people of all ages and abilities.

“Both Trillium Health Resources and the Dare County Tourism Board are significant funding partners who are helping to move construction of Dowdy Park forward,” said Deputy Town Manager Andy Garman.

“We are extremely grateful to both of these organizations for the assistance they are providing to enable the Town to provide our community with a park that can be used by anyone of any age and any ability.”