Work to Begin Soon on East Clayton Park

Town officials are moving ahead with East Clayton Community Park, awarding a $2 million construction contract last week to D.S. Simmons Inc. of Goldsboro.

Work is expected to begin in August, with completion in about a year.

"They are a quality contractor," Town Manager Steve Biggs told the Town Council this week. "We feel very positive."

Construction plans do not include artificial turf on the soccer field or a second picnic shelter and restroom complex, both budget casualties. The work will be financed largely with funds set aside from the bond issue for streets and parks approved by voters in 2008.

The new 60-acre park on Glen Laurel Road in East Clayton will be built in two phases. The first phase of construction includes: 

• 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  

• A picnic pavilion and restroom  

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.

Town officials originally hoped to begin work on the new park last year, but construction bids came in much higher than expected and efforts to negotiate a better price with the low bidder didn't work out.

Another park--East Clayton Community Dog Park--is under construction across the street. It will have many of the best features of dog parks in other areas, including separate areas for large and small dogs, a picnic area for dog owners, a 15-space parking lot and space for special events.  