Joining Mayor Ronda Hughes (front, right) for the ribbon-cutting of the town’s parks are Commissioner Jackie Rouse (front, left), Commissioner Alan Hughes (back, left), and Town Clerk Patricia Jones (back, right). The ceremony took place Friday morning and was attended by approximately 40 people. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Mayor Ronda Hughes (standing, with back to camera) addresses a group of citizens and officials during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the town’s parks. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
N.C. State Representative Jimmy Dixon (right) joins Mayor Ronda Hughes in celebrating Seven Springs’ new parks. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Town Clerk Patricia Jones (right) explains how several grants were used to fund Seven Springs’ new parks. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
The family of former Seven Springs Mayor Jewel Kilpatrick stands, as Kilpatrick is posthumously recognized for her efforts in establishing a recently-refurbished town park. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Following a ribbon-cutting for the town’s parks, attendees visit the replica of Seven Springs’ old spring house. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
A Little Free Library stands at the entrance of the Seven Springs Spring House. It was placed there after the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the town’s parks. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Seven Springs Community Park is home to colorful, state-of-the-art playground equipment. Established in 2000, it recently underwent a complete renovation. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
Whitehall Gardens, located on Main Street in Seven Springs, is the town’s newest park. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
During the town’s recent renovation and building of parks, a new sign was erected at the intersection of Highway 55 and Main Street. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Friday morning, Mayor Ronda Hughes was assisted by Town Clerk Patricia Jones and Town Commissioners Alan Hughes and Jackie Rouse in cutting a red ribbon symbolizing the official opening of the recently renovated Seven Springs Community Park and the newly built Whitehall Gardens. Approximately 40 people attended the 30-minute ceremony, with many lingering afterwards to visit, enjoy Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and tour the parks.
Situated on the Neuse River, the small town of Seven Springs (its population is well less than 100) has endured its share of hardship over the years, with several significant floods caused by hurricanes. But over the past year or two, a bright spot — in the form of outdoor recreational spaces for citizens and visitors — has emerged.
Seven Springs Community Park, located on W. Spring Street, was originally built in 2000, but had fallen into great disrepair over the years; it has been completely renovated and is now equipped with brightly colored, state-of-the-art playground equipment. Directly across the street from this park, the town has erected replicas of the old spring house and pavilion that stood during the town’s heyday, when it was a destination for those wishing to partake of the spring waters that were said to have healing effects. An information board, detailing the town’s history, stands between the spring house and the pavilion.
A brand-new park, Whitehall Gardens — which features a large waterwheel, tables and chairs, and brick walkways — has been built on Main Street.
Mayor Hughes welcomed those at the ribbon-cutting, which was held in the pavilion, by saying, “This is quite a historic event for our town. The parks represent the town’s determination to revitalize Seven Springs. This is a significant milestone that will enrich the lives of Seven Springs families and visitors. Children will be playing, friends and families will be enjoying picnics, and the community will gather.”
Pointing out how essential parks are to the community, she continued, “We are committed to creating spaces that enhance the quality of life and create a bright future. [The parks] are a reminder of what can be achieved by working together. We strive for a stronger, more vibrant community, a place to make connections and where memories can be created.”
The mayor noted that the building and re-building of the parks was a testament to the dedication and vision of many in the community, including leaders and residents. She talked about the efforts that went into making the projects a success — the planning, grant-writing, and construction.
In addition to the mayor, several others spoke briefly, including Pastor Pete Williams of Walker Memorial Church (who offered a word of prayer), N. C. State Representative Jimmy Dixon, Wayne County Commissioner Barbara Aycock, and historian Bryan Whitfield (who has been instrumental in compiling the town’s history and is also planning to soon publish a book that thoroughly covers the topic).
Town Commissioner Jackie Rouse thanked all involved in the projects, especially “Ronda Hughes and Patricia Jones for the tireless hours of work which they have put in to have these parks to try to make the town look and be more like it used to be back several years ago.”
Wayne County Sheriff Larry Pierce recalled having been on rescue missions in Seven Springs during the town’s flooding. “I just want to compliment you on the resiliency that y’all have,” he said. “You have come back, and it is so nice.”
Representing the N.C. Land and Water Fund (one of the agencies that provided grant money for the parks), Will Summer stated, “This is my third time here in Seven Springs, and I could not be more excited to be here to celebrate this success with you all…I really believe that projects like this are an important part of our strategy to live with the flood waters and be resilient. As a citizen, I just want to thank the elected officials for taking this problem seriously.”
From nearby Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Superintendent Eric Siratt noted that the state park works “hand in hand” with the town of Seven Springs to promote outdoor recreation. He told the crowd, “We encourage you not only to get out in Seven Springs and enjoy some outdoor activities, but also go out to Cliffs and enjoy the park out there, as well.”
After the other officials spoke, Hughes called on Patricia Jones to address the crowd. Introducing Jones, Hughes said, “A lot of hard work has been done by a lot of people, but we could not have gotten it done if Patricia did not write the grants. She has been a star in our crown for this town.”
Jones then explained to those gathered where the town got the money for its parks and how that money was used. A $380,001 grant from the N.C. Land and Water Fund was used to build the pavilion, spring house, and Whitehall Gardens. With some of the funds left from that grant, the town is hoping to install RV sites on vacant lots; money from leasing those sites would provide income to the town, which is especially important since the town’s tax base has dropped due to FEMA buyouts.
A $400,000 Rural Transformation Grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce paid for all the equipment in Seven Springs Community Park and for the adjacent parking lot. It was also used to redo the old Whitehall Jail, which the town is turning into a museum. And it paid for the new welcome sign that sits at the intersection of Highway 55 and Main Street.
Lastly, Jones said that a small community grant, in the amount of $15,000, helped buy new flags for Main Street and also contributed to Whitehall Gardens.
Jones recognized all the companies that helped with the various park projects: Coastal Contractors, Fulcher’s Lawn and Garden, and Creative Playscapes.
She noted that the parks are already a success, saying, “These two parks are used constantly, every day, with people from all over this area, not just Seven Springs.”
After Jones completed her remarks, Mayor Hughes showed off a plaque that will be placed in Seven Springs Community Park, honoring former Mayor Jewel Kilpatrick, who passed away. Members of Kilpatrick’s family were present and were asked to stand, as Hughes stated, “Ms. Jewel was our mayor for many, many years. And she was one of the main driving forces that actually got the park started back in the early 2000s…She served through some really hard times with Seven Springs, but in the end, she was a strong supporter, and with her vision and determination, we were able to get something started, so what you see now, this is part of what Ms. Jewel started.” One of Kilpatrick’s family members recalled that the former mayor lived next to the park and loved to watch the children play.
As the ceremony closed, Jones and Hughes urged everyone to watch for more new developments in the town. A few things currently being considered are: promoting school field trips to the town, updating the cemetery, renovating the boat ramp, and creating a botanical garden. This small town on the Neuse is determined to keep moving forward.
