The City of Kannapolis has received a state grant for the construction of the new Eastside Park. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recently announced $17.9 million in grants to fund 46 local parks and recreation projects across the state through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). Kannapolis will receive the maximum amount available, $500,000, for the development of the new park. 

“These awards through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Accessible Parks Grant will bring tremendous impact to communities across North Carolina by providing more parks, more trails and more accessible recreation,” said Governor Cooper. 

“We are pleased that the state recognized the importance of this planned park to our residents and granted us the maximum amount for the park. We look forward to construction starting in 2025. This park will add to our inventory of premier places where people can discover a healthy lifestyle,” stated Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant. 

Local governments applied to PARTF to fund land acquisition, and development and renovation of public park and recreation areas. A maximum of $500,000 can be awarded to a single project, and the awardees must match funds at least dollar-for-dollar for the grant amount. This year, the Authority considered 40 grant applications. Of those, 22 projects were funded at the full request and one project was awarded partial funding.

The Eastside Park will be located on Midlake Avenue on 33 acres of city owned land. Amenities at this park will include lakefront walking trails, a playground, a dog park, a splash pad, paddle boats and shelters. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2026.