Storms in early November 2024 dropped more than a foot of rain on Lumberton, flooding neighborhoods, as well as the city park at 1300 FM 421, causing the city to close the park for safety concerns.
“The creek that runs through the middle of the city park sometimes floods, but this was much more than normal, said City Manager Steve Clark. “The old turf rolled up like waves.”
Clark says that the city attempted to file an insurance claim but later learned the park was not covered for flood damage.
Rebuilding on the city dime, although the surface beneath the original turf was dirt, the city elected to lay a cement foundation this time to prevent shifting of underlying material in the future. Nearly $50,000 in surface materials were delivered Jan. 28, with installation that could begin this week.
According to Clark, local contractor Tim Rushing, who has worked for the city in the past, will supervise the installation of the ½” thick astroturf-like surface material, with the help of city employees. Weather-permitting, installation will take approximately a week, and result in the park’s re-opening early- to mid- February.
“We want that park open as much as anyone,” said Clark. “It’s a blessing to our city and the people that live here and enjoy the park, and it’s not been closed because we’ve been sitting back sitting on our hands, like some may say…it’s a process.”
Clark said funds for park repairs come from money reserved in the general budget and the Industrial Development Corporation fund.
Although park-goers have been able to continue walking, riding bikes, playing tennis and pickle ball at the FM 421 park, the city’s youngest citizens and guests from surrounding areas are eager to slide and swing again.
Looking ahead, Clark noted that the next major project at the city park will likely involve adding extra lighting to the playground area.
Although Lumberton does not have an established drainage district, an expansion of the current 30-acre detention pond has been discussed as a potential measure to reduce future flood damage.