Optimism surrounding the future of the Goldsboro Parks & Recreation Department was on full display on Friday morning as Goldsboro mayor Charles Gaylor, Representative John Bell, Congressman Wiley Nickel, Congressman Don Davis, and Wayne County Commissioner Antonio Williams held a press conference to announce $250,000 in funding for the Herman Park Center Building Demolition Project. 

Interim Goldsboro City Manager Matt Livingston, Goldsboro Parks & Recreation staff members, and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission members were also present. 

The City of Goldsboro will use this funding to demolish and dispose of the Herman Park Building. The building was closed due to contamination issues, specifically mold. The City has designed a new, shovel-ready Herman Park Center to replace this facility.

Originally opened as Odd Fellows Orphanage and Farm, the 16,000-square-foot Herman Park Center is located on the corner of Ash and Herman Streets. The building was purchased by the City of Goldsboro in 1978 to become the Herman Park Center. 

“This is an important year because we’re going to be going through a master plan,” said Gaylor. “We’re going to be envisioning what parks (in Goldsboro) look like for the next decade, two decades. Several years ago, prior to my time on the (Goldsboro City) Council even, a vision was put out there of what a Herman Park Center could be, what it could become. The current facility having aged, having really served the community well, was due for replacement. Some plans were put forward, and some ideas were put forward. What we’re going to do now is take the first step at reimaging parks.”

Along with the $250,000 Nickel was on hand to present for the Herman Park Center Project, he has also requested $1.5 million in the 2025 fiscal year budget for Goldsboro’s Union Station Stabilization Project.

The City of Goldsboro would use this funding to stabilize Goldsboro Union Station for historic preservation, reuse, and availability to serve future rail service. Recent reports indicate that Goldsboro should be a stop on rail from Wilmington to Raleigh, and the city will need an active station to accommodate future rail service.

“We’re here today to celebrate $250,000 in federal funding that we secured for the Herman Park Center Demolition Project,” Nickel said. “I also want to thank Don Davis for voting for the budget, supporting this bipartisan budget in Congress that brought this money to us in Wayne County. This funding will help alleviate the burden of expense on our local communities and get this project across the finish line while putting our federal tax dollars to good use.”

Bell touted the work of Nickel and Davis that made it possible for Goldsboro to receive the $250,000. 

“I’m proud to stand here today with colleagues and people I have served with,” Bell said. “There’s a part of history and why we’re all here, and that’s because Wayne County is no stranger to relationships. Whether it’s our local delegation here with our City Council, our Mayor, whether it’s our county delegation, our state delegation, or our federal delegation. We’ve always worked together to solve problems for the best interest of this community. I’m glad to see that relationship continue.”

Nickel and Davis’ day in Goldsboro also included a tour of Union Station to learn more about current restoration efforts and how federal funding could support this project. They, along with Gaylor and other leaders, had a meeting planned at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to discuss the base’s future.