The playground at the Morehead City Park has officially reopened, and with it comes an official name.
Matthew Hamilton, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Morehead, said the park was named in honor of Wylie Wilson, a Rowan County resident who, following his death, left money for the city and park.
“He was just a really good individual, he was a veteran. He was always at the park. He came in to Peggy’s Place, he rented that room a lot, he was always over there playing pool. He was just a great, great individual,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton said Wilson was a prolific member of the community, and naming the playground after him just seemed like the right way to honor his memory.
“When he passed away, he thought enough of the city and the park that he actually left some money in his estate when he passed. So, in honor of him and what he did for the park, what he did for this country and what he did for this community, we wanted to leave something to remember him by,” said Hamilton.
The main attraction of the new playground is the new ADA compliant and handicap accessible crumb-rubber surface. Hamilton said this surface is better than wood chip and other alternatives, because it is a solid surface which cannot be washed away by rain and does not collect water. It is also non-slip and impact-absorbing, which will keep children safer as they play.
The playground is open now, but will soon undergo landscaping and receive additional recreation pieces.