A new playground for Silvermont Park got a boost this week when the Transylvania County Commissioners approved a $25,000 challenge to the Silvermont Centennial Committee.
Commissioners said at their Monday night meeting that they would allocate $25,000 for the new playground if the Silvermont committee could also raise $25,000.
“We are excited by this challenge, and hope the community will help us meet it,” says Kathy Zimmerman, who developed the new grounds plans for Silvermont Park.
“I am confident parents of young children, grandparents and all those who want Silvermont Park to be a vibrant gathering place for people of all ages will support the building of this new playground.”
Zimmerman’s plan for the Silvermont grounds includes the new playground, a basketball court relocated away from the front of the historic home on the property, a community gathering plaza in front of the home, new wider and accessible trails, signage, landscaping and other grounds amenities that will rejuvenate the park.
“Parents have shared with us the need for updated playgrounds for youth in our community,” says Parks and Recreation Director Carleen Hanscom. “This is an exciting project for Silvermont Park and the Transylvania Community.”
The Silvermont Centennial Committee has developed a strategic plan for Silvermont Park, with a goal of completing $2.2 million in repairs and rejuvenation in time for the 100th birthday of the historic home in May 2017.
Already repairs to the outside of the home, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, are under way, including stabilizing the porch and columns and repairing water damage. This work began after the county commission approved a $200,000 allocation last spring for home repairs.
The playground will be the first grounds project to be undertaken. “We are excited to have a very visible project start on the grounds for all the children of our community,” said Zimmerman.
Anyone who would like to donate to the new Silvermont playground can go to www.silvermont.org/donate to donate online.
Also, donations can be mailed directly to: Transylvania County Historical Society, c/o Gene Baker, 50 Ridgewood Place, Brevard, NC 28712.
Please indicate in the “for” line of your check that the donation is for Silvermont.
