The Town on Aug. 27 celebrated receiving an $8.5 million grant from the federal government to help with construction of phase 1 of Yeargan Park on East Garner Road. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the park site to learn more about plans for the project.

Later that day, Town staff and Mayor Buddy Gupton joined Secretary Haaland as well as Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel at a press event at Raleigh's Walnut Creek Wetland Center (Raleigh received another $8.6 million for its Smoky Hollow Park project).

"This funding through the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership will help enable the Town to develop Yeargan Park in a historically underserved part of Garner," Mayor Gupton said. "I am proud of the amenities the park will provide—including an amazing inclusive playscape. I am also very proud of the work our Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources team did to secure this funding. This park project reflects the Town's commitment to improving the quality of life of all Garner residents."

The Town acquired the 72.49-acre Yeargan property in 2019, dedicating approximately 64 acres to be used for the development of a public park. Phase 1 of the park project will include construction of four multi-use sports fields, an inclusive playground and a large picnic shelter with restrooms. Phase 1 also includes parking, a multi-use path, utility work as well as improvements to East Garner Road to facilitate access to the park.

In addition to the recent federal funding, the Town also has received a $400,000 grant from the N.C. Parks & Recreation Trust Fund and $2 million from the Wake County Small Capital Projects Fund to support phase 1 of Yeargan Park.

The Town is currently in the process of wrapping up the design phase of the project and expects to bid out phase 1 later this fall.

Learn more about the Yeargan Park project.