Emma Webb Park nears completion as community transformation takes shape
After nearly two years of planning, construction, and collaboration, Emma Webb Park in Kinston is approaching the finish line on a transformative renovation, with a public grand opening anticipated around July 4.
“We're getting close to the finale,” said Scott Alston, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Kinston. “We're sitting at the last few items: the splash pad, the stage canopy, and fencing for the basketball court. We're excited to bring this together for the community.”
The upcoming July 4 opening will mark a symbolic milestone, not only ushering in the summer season with the activation of the new splash pad but also culminating a project years in the making. Among the latest updates are the final construction of the stage’s shade canopy, installation of perimeter fencing for the striped basketball court, and ongoing façade upgrades to the park’s buildings.
The renovations go far beyond cosmetic improvements. The project features a new playground, a brick-paved circular walkway constructed with reclaimed bricks from Kinston’s historic train station, and a reconstructed stream designed for better flood management during extreme weather events.
A $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund helped jumpstart the redevelopment, which received additional funding and support from the Kinston City Council and other community stakeholders, bringing the total investment to $1 million.
Inside the park’s gymnastics building, recent upgrades include new paint and renovations that converted part of the space into a dance studio. The change has allowed the city’s dance program to relocate from Fairfield to Emma Webb Park, uniting gymnastics and dance programming under one roof.
“We’ve renovated the building inside as well, so it’s not just the outside of Emma Webb being improved. It's now more like a proper dance studio,” Alston said.
Emma Webb Park’s transformation has deep roots in public engagement. The city, alongside the Parks and Recreation Commission and community group Kinston Teens, engaged in months of outreach—including door-to-door canvassing and public meetings—to ensure the project met community expectations while honoring the park’s legacy.
Community input shaped the park’s redesign into a space that now includes an outdoor amphitheater stage, flood mitigation infrastructure, and upgraded recreational facilities.
Alston emphasized that Emma Webb Park is more than a set of amenities—it’s a reflection of local pride and a beacon of progress. “A lot of effort has gone into this. A lot of minds, a lot of groups—Kinston Teens, the City of Kinston, and public engagement. We really hope it will continue to be a shining light for this area,” he said. “We’re on the upswing.”
The city is still finishing minor additions, including walkways and building updates, but the message is clear: Emma Webb Park is poised to reopen as a vibrant hub for Kinston’s families and youth.
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