Chances are, you haven’t yet been to this hidden gem of a park in the MoRA area. Located on Monroe Road near Woodberry Road, it has a children’s play area, two basketball courts, and two lighted tennis courts.
If you have been there, you might agree that it needs a little polishing. Smaller parks across Charlotte lost funding for maintenance and improvements after the recession and Mason Wallace Park is no exception.
Park improvements
Since October, residents from the neighborhoods around Mason Wallace Park along with East Meck HS students have formed the Mason Wallace Park Advocates. The MWP Advocates, led by Dave Molinaro of Burtonwood, Steve Martin of McClintock Woods, Stephen James and David Stephens of Woodberry Forest, have been meeting, assessing, and doing cleanups in cooperation with Parks and Rec.
Already, the volunteers removed invasive plants like bamboo and English ivy, cleaned the parking lot and sidewalks, and have begun repainting the metal bridge railings. The next volunteer cleanup on May 4 will involve picnic table and park bench renovations. Park and Rec will soon begin repairing walking paths. In July, they’ll renovate the basketball courts. And in the fall, TreesCharlotte will bring 60 trees to the park.
What’s next?
The MWP Advocates have presented a park improvement proposal to the Parks and Recreation Administration, and they’re also working with county, city and local businesses to fund a shelter and outdoor exercise area.
Contact Dave to volunteer for the cleanup on Saturday, May 4, from 1 until 4, and help make Mason Wallace shine once again. To learn more, reach out or rsvp to Dave Molinaro at David_molinaro@hotmail.com, or call him at (980) 200-8278.
