The initial plan that Derek Church Williams of Charlotte-based site solutions brought to the table tonight was one that recommended two community parks, a district park, a covered equestrian facility as well as trails and water access.

In the proposal Williams recommends using the 4-H Rural Life Center on Highway 903, which already has an equestrian center, as a district park while developing two community parks in the underserved areas of southern and western Halifax County.

The price tag of that development is estimated to be around $8 million to $10 million. Recommended funding sources, he said, include grants, the county general fund, partnerships and sponsorships.

There is also a 10-year plan in which the county considers developing a recreation department, beginning with a small staff in the first five years and expanding that department over a 10-year period.

Former Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director Chris Wicker said discussions with the 4-H center have been positive, although there are issues that need to be addressed should ballfields be built there.

Williams said there have also been initial discussions with Medoc Mountain State Park to see how that facility, which is the most used park in the county, could fit in to meet recreation needs in the county.

This evening's meeting piggybacked on several others held over the past few months as well as a series of workshops held throughout the county.

“This 100-page document is in draft form,” Wicker explained. “If we're there to show our support, that would be fabulous. We can't expect they're going to spend the $8 million. It's not realistic to expect the $8 to $10 million is going to come from the county.”

Assistant County Manager Erris Dunston told the stakeholders the plan is a big step. “This plan opens a lot of doors that gives grant applications higher priority. There are always partnerships and grant opportunities.”