By Lee Ann Nance, Director,
Harnett County Economic Development
The Harnett Forward Together Committee (HFTC) announced that a scenic, rolling tract in western Harnett County has been permanently protected and is slated to become a major recreation and park site for Harnett County. The HFTC, a non-profit economic development corporation, with the support of the Harnett County Board of Commissioners, has invested $3.1 million in the 1,014-acre property formerly owned by William McKay Johnston, with plans to see the property developed as a public park. The property is located approximately nine miles west of Lillington near NC 27, in the Anderson Creek Township, and is considered an essential addition to meeting the recreational and greenspace needs of Harnett County, the eighth fastest-growing county in North Carolina. “Much of Harnett County’s growth has occurred in the western area of the county, with the townships in the area experiencing triple digit growth,” stated Tim McNeill, Harnett County Commissioner. “More than 42 percent of the county’s overall population growth from 1990 to 2000 occurred in the west. In addition, the property will provide future school sites to serve this growing area,” he said.
The major influx of residents from neighboring urban counties is projected to continue. The recent expansion of Highway 87 from a two-lane to a four-lane highway, along with county sewer improvements in Anderson Creek, will promote even more growth as will Fort Bragg’s construction of more than 1,500 four bedroom homes, which will expand the population of western Harnett County by more than 8,500 people. In addition, the recent Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) could bring 20,000 – 40,000 additional people to the area. Heavy residential and commercial development has already begun and is expected to impact much of western Harnett County over the next decade.
The HFTC identified the Johnston property as a priority acquisition to ensure that the county maintains a balance between quality of life and growth, as well as to preserve land and natural resources in the face of ever-growing development pressure. Harnett County builders are already responding to population growth at Fort Bragg, the 15 miles of newly-widened NC 87, and improvements to infrastructure in the same area.
The purchase will be funded through the use of open space and recreation impact fees, which were implemented by the Harnett County Board of Commissioners at their February 20, 2006 meeting. Beginning this month, there will be a $500 per lot assessment on the creation of new subdivision lots. These assessments will be used in the communities in which they are collected to provide recreation opportunities to serve Harnett County’s rapidly-growing population. A portion of the fees collected through the construction of single family homes in the western Harnett area will be allocated to the HFTC to fund the $3.1 million purchase, which will be paid over a fifteen year period. Additional funds will be sought through state and federal grants for the development of a park master plan and for the ongoing enhancement of the park property.
The HFTC plans to preserve the natural features of the property, providing visitors an opportunity to experience the benefits of the outdoors. Possible park amenities include running, birding and hiking trails, equestrian and public education programs, picnic areas, and community recreation fields.
"This is a great piece of property to preserve. People will enjoy the beauty and availability of this property for generations to come," stated HFTC Chairman Johnson Tilghman. The HFTC considers the preservation of
We want to be a community where a company’s employees want to live. We want to be seen as a progressive community that has a plan for the future. When a company sees that we are preserving our rural assets and investing in tomorrow, they realize they are making a good investment by choosing our community.
Walt Titchener, Harnett County Commissioner expressed his enthusiasm over the project. "This park celebrates Harnett County’s past and sets the tone for its future. We are growing quickly and this is a step in making sure we grow the right way. The Commissioners are pleased that our citizens, especially our children, will enjoy access to this natural area for generations to come."
The property is located on Nursery Road (SR 1118) approximately 1.8 miles south of the intersection of Nursery Road and NC 27, nine miles west of Lillington. The tract extends east from Nursery Road to Powell Farm Road and south to Lemuel Black Road.
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