Kiwanis Club, Raleigh neighborhood work to raise money for city park project

The Kiwanis Club of Raleigh and a group of Raleigh residents are working to raise $400,000 to make sure a playground, among other amenities, is included in plans to update an aging city park. A big event is scheduled this weekend to support the effort.

The 30-acre park is about to get a big infusion of city funds, thanks, in part, to a 2014 parks bond that includes money for upgrades to facilities like the park's dated neighborhood center. City plans now call for a massive overhaul, including a new fully staffed community center to replace the older building, a new picnic shelter and bathrooms.

About $700,000 from the parks bond, along with another $300,000 in city funds, will pay for the new community center, shelter and bathrooms. But that money isn't enough to pay for other pieces of the park plan, which neighbors have sought, including a playground, basketball court, dog park, pickle ball court and greenway connection. About $400,000 is still needed.

The Kiwanis Club, which has been raising money toward renovations for the park for the last couple of years, and some in the neighborhood are working to make up the difference. The Kiwanis Club has committed to matching community donations up to $250,000. Neighborhood residents, led by Jen Schrage, a Raleigh mom of three, are working to raise money from residents and local businesses.

Construction at the park could start as soon as November.