Pembroke Park project surpasses fundraising goal

By Scott Bigelow

"Everyone can own a piece of the park," said Pembroke Town Park fund-raising coordinator Spencer Howington.

Brick "pavers" to memorialize loved ones at the new Pembroke Park will be on sale at the upcoming Lumbee Homecoming. The personalized bricks will pave a walkway at a veteran's memorial at the renovated park.

Groundbreaking for $175,000 in improvements at the park, which is located at the corner of 3rd Street and Odom Road in Pembroke, will be after the Lumbee Homecoming Parade on Saturday, July 3 at 11:30 a.m.

Representatives from the Town of Pembroke, UNC Pembroke and the Pembroke Area Chamber of Commerce, which is spearheading the fund-raising effort, met at the park June 24 to announce that they have raised $73,620 for the project.

"This has exceeded our goal of $50,000 that we set for Lumbee Homecoming," Howington said. "Our goal is to complete fundraising by Thanksgiving and begin construction early in 2005."

The latest gifts came from the individuals, businesses and the town. A gift of $15,000 from the town's 2004-05 budget was approved by the Pembroke Town Council last week.

Recent major contributions came from: Charles Alton Maynor, Mary Doris Dial and Pembroke Hardware, County Commissioner Noah Woods, Oxendine Tire, Dial Insurance, Ransom Insurance, Professional Providers, First Bank and Adrene Locklear

As more tape was added to the fund-raising "thermometer," tents were being erected in the park for Lumbee Homecoming. The park is an important part of the town and a gateway to UNCP.

"You see that slide over there," said Pembroke Mayor Milton Hunt. "I slid down it as a boy. It's 50 years old."

The ambitious park design includes a veteran's memorial walkway, a history exhibit, playground equipment, wrought iron fencing, landscaping, a water feature and bathrooms.

"It should be a great addition for the town and the University," said Pembroke Town Manager McDuffie Cummings. "Because of its location, the park is very important to the town, and it is widely used now by Pembroke residents and visitors."

A model of the planned park will be on display during Lumbee Homecoming on July 3. It is on display during business hours at the new Pembroke Municipal Building.

Lumbee Guaranty Bank, Healthkeeperz and Shaw Office Supplies of Lumberton contributed to the pacesetter phase of the campaign, said R.D. Locklear, president of the Pembroke Area Chamber of Commerce.

Architect Mike Clark of Native American Design Services of Pembroke is providing design services without charge, Locklear said. Katrina Locklear of Locklear and Son Funeral Home is leading the design committee, and Howington of Shaw Office Supplies is leading the fundraising committee.

For information about the park, please call the Town of Pembroke at 910.521.0647.

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