The parking lot at the new Wadesboro Park was full as people gathered to celebrate the opening of the Town of Wadesboro's newest facility.
     Honored guests were members of the Little family, who donated the land for the park to the town.
     Wadesboro Mayor Bill Thacker opened the remarks by saying "Thank you for being with us this afternoon ... it is our pleasure to have you here."
     Thacker noted that a "lot of hard work has gone into this and we thank everyone who made a contribution." Thacker then recognized current and former council members and spouses who worked on the project: Lynn Horton, Ed Emory, Bob Blalock, Al Cole, Derek James, F.M. Hightower, Paula Tice, Don McRory, Mrs. Sam McLendon, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gatewood, James David Lee and Bobby Usrey. Thacker also was instrumental in organizing the project.
     Thacker read a letter from N.C. Representative Pryor Gibson who apologized for not being present, but said that he and his family had already made use of the park. "Congratulations on an exciting new facility," Gibson wrote, "I know it will be an asset and source of pride for years to come."
     Thacker concluded his remarks by introducing N.C. Senator Bill Purcell, David Deese (representing U.S. Representative Larry Kissell), and Anna Baucom, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
     Taking the mic, Town Manager John Witherspoon told the onlookers that he could summarize the project in five chapters.
     He began with the second chapter by saying that after the town received the property from the Little family, the council wrote to all interested Wadesboro citizens and formed a Park Advisory Committee headed by Jim Strayhorn and Dr. Don Altieri. "They took the ideas of the citizens and condensed them down to a written plan, but they needed a picture," Witherspoon said. An architect, Blair Israel, Regional Planner at Centralina COG, was hired.
     "What you see is what he designed from what we wanted," Witherspoon said.
     Chapter Three was "we didn't have enough money. How could we find the money to build it?" Witherspoon said Wal-Mart made a donation and "an angel dropped out of heaven in the form of the Yost Foundation and got us going. We sold the timber on the land and got us a grant."
     In Chapter Four, Witherspoon said, Hugh James, director of public services for the town, and Adam Allison of Hobbs Upchurch laid out the park "as you see it today. Hugh James was invaluable -- he laid out the trail. A local contractor, Anson Contractors, gave us a wonderful bid and as you can see, they did a wonderful job."
     "We had an idea for a shelter and restrooms," Witherspoon continued, "but Max Kendall had a better idea and built them for less than we could have done otherwise."
     Witherspoon expressed thanks to the Dedication Committee, Brenda Parker and Don McRorie, who put together the food and the balloons that were released after the official remarks. Bob Blalock and Eddie Pope helped with the food, and Wal-Mart, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pepsi Cola contributed food and drinks.
     Witherspoon then returned to "Chapter One" saying that the families of Charles and Henry Little had provided the land.
     "Without them, the park would not have been possible. Henry really wanted to see this happen. Don McRorie as mayor met with Henry and the deal went forward."
     A plaque has been placed in memory and appreciation of the Little family.

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