Years In The Making, Johnston County’s First Regional Park Opens July 24

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — After years of planning and construction, Johnston County is ready to open the gates to its first regional park.

County leaders will officially dedicate Johnston County Regional Park during a public ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, July 24, at 444 Matthews Road in the Cleveland community. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

The park represents one of Johnston County’s largest investments in recreation and is designed to grow alongside one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing areas. While only the first phase is complete, county officials envision the site eventually becoming a destination for families throughout Johnston County.

“The opening of Johnston County Regional Park marks an important milestone for Johnston County,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Patrick Harris said. “As our County continues to grow, it’s important that we invest not only in schools and public safety, but also in places where families can gather, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors.”

Visitors attending the grand opening will find four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, an ADA-accessible fishing pond, a picnic shelter and parking.

Future construction phases will significantly expand the park with athletic fields, walking trails, accessible sidewalks, a playground for children of all ages, a splash pad, dog park, disc golf course, skate park, open meadow and an outdoor amphitheater.

For Adrian O’Neal, director of Johnston County Parks and Open Space, the opening is only the beginning.

“The opening of Johnston County Regional Park is a major step forward for Johnston County and the Cleveland community,” O’Neal said. “We’re proud to deliver a space that families can enjoy from day one while we continue adding new amenities in future phases.”

The park’s story began in 2020 when several Cleveland-area residents purchased property with the goal of preserving land for recreation before rapid residential growth consumed it. They later sold the property to Johnston County, allowing plans for a regional park to move forward.

Denton Lee, one of the original landowners, said preserving open space became increasingly important as new neighborhoods continued to emerge across western Johnston County.

“Back in 2020, we saw how quickly this area was growing and felt it was important to set aside land for recreation before the opportunity was lost,” Lee said. “It’s exciting to see the first phase completed and to know that future generations will have a place to enjoy the outdoors right here in their own community.”

The first phase of construction carried a price tag of approximately $4.3 million and was funded through a combination of Johnston County dollars and grant funding.

“This project wouldn’t have been possible without strong support from both the County and our grant partners,” O’Neal said. “Those investments allowed us to turn a vision into a reality.”

County officials say the regional park is intended to serve residents from across Johnston County while providing recreational opportunities for the rapidly growing Cleveland community, where new homes and businesses continue to reshape the area.

Additional phases of the park will be constructed as funding becomes available.