The town of Matthews is gearing up for substantial park upgrades with the recent approval of $11 million in General Obligation Bonds. Detailed by the Town of Matthews' official announcement, the move allows for the development of Purser-Hulsey Park, encompassing a host of family-friendly amenities, and improvements to several other town parks. With plans for an all-abilities playground, nature trails, picnic shelters, and more, the town is poised to heighten its recreational offerings.
Meanwhile, existing parks are poised to see a suite of enhancements, including new restrooms at Windsor Park and Rice Park, and fresh playground equipment at Squirrel Lake Park. Essential connectivity will also get a boost, with funding dedicated to the Riverbanks Greenway Connector, set to provide crucial pedestrian and bike linkages. Mayor John Higdon was cited expressing his enthusiasm, saying, "The complete build-out of Purser-Hulsey Park is something our residents have eagerly anticipated for years, and I am very pleased to see it becoming a reality." Yet there's a financial weight to bear with the expected 1.35-cent per $100 valuation impact on the property tax rate, estimated to bump up homeowner taxes by less than $5 monthly, starting 2025, as detailed by the Town of Matthews.
This development trailblazes after the green-lighting of the 2022 Parks and Recreation and Transportation Bond Referendum. Bonds are geared toward not only green space enhancements, but also $21 million earmarked for transportation improvements – funds that have yet to be released. The procurement of bond funds is forecasted for late April, with Park design work slated for this summer and a projected 12-month timeline. Construction should then roll on, completing within the subsequent 24 months.
Matthews Board of Commissioners was split on the resolution, narrowly passing it with a 4-3 vote, "Mayor Higdon, Commissioners John Urban, Ken McCool, and Renee Garner voted in favor, while Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hoover and Commissioners Mark Tofano and Leon Threatt voted against," as reported by the Town of Matthews' official communique. This scenario lays the groundwork for significant transformation in the quaint burg of Matthews, where verdant pubic spaces and leisure prospects are soon to receive a welcomed infusion of public investment and care.
