CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. -- The City of New Bern has $475,000 of state funding from a grant provided by North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to build a park on 55 acres of donated land.

• Martin Marietta donated land on S Glenburnie Road to the city in August
• The community was asked what they would want the park to have
• The park will begin its transformation in early January 2019

In early August, Martin Marietta donated land to the city on S Glenburnie Road, which Director of Parks and Recreation, Foster Hughes said was the "missing piece" to their new project.

The Parks and Recreation Department reached out to the community to ask them what they would like the park to have, and responses ranged from a skate park to event space, and even ziplines -- all of which the city is incorporating into their plans.

Hughes said it was their goal to design a park everyone in New Bern could enjoy as well as visitors from across the state.

"The best thing about this park is it’s going to improve and enhance the quality of life for not only the citizens of New Bern but in the surrounding areas. We anticipate that once this park is completely built out, it’ll be a draw for everyone in the eastern part of the state," said Hughes.

The city is designing an amphitheater for the property which Hughes dubbed "the crown jewel" of the plans. The amphitheater will seat up to 7,500 guests and host local events and concerts.

Hughes said the entire project will take several years to complete and the timeline is dependent on funding. 

The park at 700 S. Glenburnie Rd. is currently open to visitors and will begin its transformation in early January 2019.