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Friday, October 31, 2025
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🏞️ Norwood Eyes Lakefront Park Grant
The Norwood Town Council held a special-called meeting to discuss applying for grants to purchase land that would give the town long-awaited public access to Lake Tillery.
Town Manager Ray Allen said Norwood plans to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant — a federal program — for $305,000, which would cover half the cost of the $610,000 purchase for a 9.6-acre parcel off Indian Mound and Bowers Road.
“The town has for a long time hoped that it could acquire some lakefront property for a public park,” Allen said. “Most residents don’t have access to the lake, and this would change that.”
The property, separated from the main part of the lake by the steel bridge, is accessible to canoes and kayaks, but not larger boats. Allen noted that this makes it both more affordable and less likely to add congestion to the lake.
Plans for the proposed park include:
- A canoe and kayak launch
- Fishing piers
- Playgrounds, including one that’s fully accessible for children with disabilities
- Walking trails, picnic areas, and restrooms
A swimming area could also be considered later. Allen said the land’s elevation and view make it ideal for park development.
“It’s a beautiful piece of property with a gentle slope to the water,” Allen added. “It really has potential to be a showcase for Norwood.”
If the grant is approved, Norwood would later pursue additional funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to develop the park in stages — similar to how City Lake Park in Albemarle was built.
💰 Funding the Town’s Share
The town’s 50% match for the grant — another $305,000 — will come from three sources:
- A $100,000 payment from Union County related to the Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project
- The sale of a vacant lot on South Strand Drive, currently under an upset bid process with offers at $84,000 and climbing
- The sale of a vacant parcel on Pee Dee Avenue, originally planned for a fire station
“This parcel on Bowers Road is far superior in terms of providing lake access,” Allen said. “It’s also less intrusive to nearby neighborhoods.”
Residents who spoke during the public hearing largely supported the plan to pursue the grant and move forward with creating a public lakefront park.
🏈 Friday Night Football Preview
It’s the final week of the regular season for high school football across Stanly County, brought to you by Fast Stop and Bait on 8:
- North Stanly (8–1) hosts Union Academy (4–5)
- West Stanly (1–8) takes on Mount Pleasant (6–3)
- Montgomery Central (4–5) hosts Central Davidson (8–1)
- South Stanly (7–2) heads up Highway 52 to face Albemarle (4–5)
Join Dave Andrews and Larry Gibson Halloween night for South Stanly vs. Albemarle, live from Albemarle High School, on WSPC 107.3 FM & 1010 AM.
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