Work Underway on New East Clayton Park

Work has begun on a new 60-acre park on Glen Laurel Road in East Clayton, the largest park project in the town's history.

The new East Clayton Community Park will have a regulation-size soccer field, a regulation-size baseball field, two large open-use spaces, a mile-long walking trail around the park, a youth playground and a picnic pavilion with restrooms.

Construction is expected to take about a year.

"We're very excited to get this project underway," said Mayor Jody McLeod. "Expanding recreational opportunities is a high priority for our community."

The park, which will be developed in two phases, is being financed largely with funds set aside from the bond issue for streets and parks overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2008. The second phase of construction, which has not yet been funded, will include additional trail areas, a disc golf course and possibly a challenge course.

The contractor on the project is D.S. Simmons Inc. of Goldsboro.

Another new park, to be built along the Neuse River, is in the planning stages.