New Castle County broke ground on a new neighborhood park Thursday.
The small one-acre park in Edgemoor Gardens will feature a playground, a basketball court and a paved walking trail when it’s finished.
County officials expect construction will be completed this fall.
They say it’s the first new County park in more than 15 years.
Karen Cheeseman is a longtime resident of Edgemoor Gardens and runs the Edgemoor Revitalization Cooperative.
“It’s been since I was a child that there was a park here. These kids have nothing. I mean I offer inside programming during the year, but they need something that will get their energies out," she said. "And they’re safer in a park than in a street.”
County Executive Matt Meyer and several state and county lawmakers joined community leaders at Thursday’s dedication.
The park is in County Councilman John Cartier’s district, and he pushed to have it approved for Edgemoor residents.
“It’s a disadvantaged community with a lot of issues related to poverty,” he said. “So we’re focusing our efforts … to make sure the youth that live in these communities have the best chance to advance in life, have positive … outlets for activity.”
New Castle County will build and operate the park. According to Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin, the park also received $100,000 through the Department’s Delaware Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Trails Program.
The Edgemoor Gardens Civic Association donated the land.
Officials say the park reflects the County’s “broader commitment to support of neighborhood revitalization.”
