NEWS: Funding for Proposed Downtown Children’s Park Still in Flux
City says grants and donations yet to be ‘secured’, considers borrowing $6.5M for park construction
As the City of Williamsburg mulls over its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the concept and funding for a downtown children’s park remains in a state of flux. While the idea has been discussed in generalities for several years, the City recently released more details about what it calls “a playground with a water feature,” that could also include other equipment like climbing centers and a carousel shaped like the Powder Magazine in Colonial Williamsburg. Other information presented about the children’s park earlier this year indicates that the City will solicit grants and donations to help fund construction. But the City’s Communication Director, Nicole Trifone, recently responded to an email inquiry by the Williamsburg Independent concerning the progress of securing these outside funds. “The City has not yet secured alternative funding for a downtown children's park,” Trifone wrote in an email.
The City’s recent statement about the downtown children’s park says that the idea is only under consideration and that it will ultimately need to be approved by the City Council to proceed, stating “[a]s of March 2025, the downtown children's park concept is not ready for a decision by the City Council. However, the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget may include a financing plan for the project to allow for evaluation and further consideration, just like any other potential capital project.” Though the project’s outcome remains uncertain, various documentation about the project indicates that City leadership has been discussing aspects of the park — including a potential location, design and funding strategy — for several years at least.
A presentation given to the City Council in February 2025 by a representative of Davenport Public Finance, the City’s financial advisors, states that the project will be “[l]argely funded by grants and private donations.” Yet, in an attempt to jumpstart the project without having outside funding in place, the City is considering a proposal to borrow $6.5M to build the park. The plan also would require the City to pay around $250K to issue the debt and $1.5M in total interest costs.
According to the City, the idea for a downtown children’s park originated with a proposal by Colonial Williamsburg to build a plaza in the downtown area which was ultimately withdrawn. While the City identified a potential site for the park on Colonial Williamsburg pasture land at the intersection of N. Henry St. and Prince George St., they state that “no agreement exists with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.” Reporting by James Robinson in the Daily Press quoted a spokesperson from the foundation, who said, “[a]s we have shared over the last several years, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation carefully considers how its real estate assets can best support the community as well as the Foundation’s educational mission and long-term financial health … We remain committed to working closely with our partners to ensure these decisions are in the best interests of the Foundation and the Greater Williamsburg community.”
Williamsburg solicited input about the idea for a downtown children’s park multiple times at community events called “Future Festivals.” According to information provided by the City, an update on public interest in the proposed park was given as part of a 263 page presentation in 2024 concerning their goals, initiatives and outcomes (GIO). The GIO document claims that 308 City residents shared opionions about several projects under consideration, including the downtown children’s park. A summary of responses shows that 63% were in favor of exploring the idea of a “Downtown Children’s Park,” yet only 38% voiced support for a “Splash Pad.” While the City and Colonial Williamsburg are considering putting the children’s park on land that is currently a pasture, “Open Space” garnered support from 70% of respondents, more than the Children’s Park or Splash Pad.
The park proposal has drawn criticism from some Williamsburg residents concerned with both the location and cost of the project. In mid-March, a protest was held on the site of the proposed park and the signs protestors held up included phrases such as “Hoof Prints Not Foot Prints,” “Green Space Not $$” and “Real Horses Live Here.” Reporting by Digby Solomon in Williamsburg Watch quoted the protest’s organizer, Ruth Kaiser as saying, “You can go anywhere and find arcades…(and) parks … What I’ve never seen anywhere else in this country is a town that has a rare breed of oxen grazing right where everybody walks.”
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. He wakes up too early,so please consider buying him a cup of coffee.