Behind every public park and recreational facility is a team of officials working hard to make
those assets accessible, attractive, cost-efficient and useful.
By Brandon Tester and Donnell Coley
P
arks and Recreation departments
oversee everything that the name
implies; from the financial well-being
to the aesthetics of those parks and facilities
falls in their hands. No, it’s not like the hit TV
show “Parks and Recreation” — at least not
nearly as whimsical.
It’s a tough job that involves plenty of
planning, building, demolishing, analyzing
and just about everything in between. The
intended outcome is summarized in the
missions statements of many parks and
rec departments, such as Anson County’s:
“— to implement exciting and productive
programs, which will enhance the overall
quality of life for our citizens.”
The way those programs and initiatives
are implemented has changed over the
96 • PROGRESS 2020
years. Here’s a look at what local parks and
recreation departments have accomplished,
and what they’re doing to gear up for the
future. kids so, just to know you made a little bit of
difference—To see them grow and get better,
and learn that you can take life lessons from
sports.”
STAYING ACTIVE IN RICHMOND
COUNTY She added that for Chase Coulthard, a
former standout at Richmond Senior High
who went on to play for The University at
North Carolina at Pembroke, there’s a story
of accomplishment for her and the rest of the
parks and recreation community around the
county.
A couple of years ago, Richmond County
resident Asheley Turner recalls walking the
halls of a local middle school she works at
when a familiar voice bellowed her name
from inches behind.
The words came from a 6-foot-1, 255 pounds
college football player who, as a child, was
once a regular at Rockingham’s Browder
Park, the same place Turner has worked part-
time for the past 18 years.
“I absolutely love it,” said Turner. “I love
Browder Park has opened its doors and
fields to the City of Rockingham since 1980
and according to Dave Davis, director of
Rockingham Parks and Recreation, the
location keeps finding ways to provide youth
and adults with ways to stay active.
“During my tenure, our department has had