With the acquisition of 60.28 acres, the Town of Surf City is another step closer toward implementing its Mainland Park project.
On Wednesday, July 15, the Town of Surf City was able to purchase approximately 60 acres from the Batts Family Corporation, created by the late Earl G. Batts and his wife, Inez S. Batts, in 1974. The vacant land sits next to the existing Surf City Community Center and Athletic Complex, located at 201 Community Center Drive on the Surf City mainland.
Photo by Skip Hardeen
This property will be the site for future recreational facilities to include a skatepark, trails, sand volleyball courts, a 100% inclusive playground, the relocation of the disc golf course and more.
“We’re very pleased to be able to work with the Batts Family on securing this land,” Mayor Doug Medlin says. “It was important that their legacy continues, and Surf City will be proud to help them do that by making sure this land is used for parks and recreation for years to come. As Surf City continues to grow, we’ll be able to expand our recreation opportunities for our current and future citizens.”
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The town has applied for grant funding to offset the cost of land purchase and future park development from multiple agencies, including the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund as well as the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The addition of this property will almost triple the park land at the Community Center and Athletic Complex site.
In June of 2019, Surf City Town Council approved a Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan, which provides guidance for the future recreation needs of the community. The Surf City Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, along with its Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, has worked hard to make this vision a reality.
“Town Manager Kyle Breuer has been instrumental in the land acquisition since coming aboard in January of 2020, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Chad Merritt says. “It has truly been a team effort, and we are so happy to continue to move forward with this project.
“When you establish a comprehensive master plan, it is a tool developed from the voice of the community, and it is our job to implement it,” Merritt continues. “I am excited for Surf City; we have been waiting for a long time.”
