Goldsboro, N.C. — After nearly two years of operating out of temporary facilities, the City of Goldsboro’s Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for a major move to a new, permanent home—the former Edgewood School.

Felicia Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Goldsboro, confirmed that the city council has approved a lease agreement with the Wayne County Board of Education. The department will relocate from its current location to the Edgewood School building, located just a few blocks from the now-closed Herman Park Center.

“We’re very excited about this move,” Brown said. “The design of Edgewood is very similar to Herman Park Center, and it actually offers even more space, including an auditorium with a stage—which was a key feature for us.”

A New Beginning After Closure

The Herman Park Center closed in 2022, prompting the Parks and Recreation team to disperse to various temporary offices across the city. Many of their programs were relocated to different community centers and facilities, causing challenges in coordination and public awareness.

“We’ve been looking for a space where we could all be together again and bring our programming back under one roof,” Brown said. “Edgewood gives us that opportunity.”

Though the idea to move into Edgewood was not initially from Parks and Recreation, the city’s administrative leadership identified the school as a promising candidate once it became vacant at the start of the 2023–2024 school year. The school system had recently consolidated students elsewhere, leaving Edgewood unused but well-maintained.

Brown recalled her first impression: “When I heard about it, I thought, ‘Just another old building,’ but I was impressed. The school district had invested in making the building safer, including lead abatement and updates like a new roof. It’s one of the best-kept older buildings I’ve seen.”

Space to Grow

The Edgewood facility features large classroom spaces, ample office storage, and a reception area that far surpasses what Herman Park Center could offer. Brown said the department was especially impressed by the building’s cleanliness and layout.

“When we did our walkthroughs, I felt like a kid in a candy store,” she laughed. “It’s a big step up in terms of functionality and space.”

The Parks and Recreation administrative staff, previously split among multiple locations, will now be consolidated under one roof. The space will also accommodate the return of many beloved programs previously held at Herman Park Center.

Return of Community Programs

Programs returning to their original base include youth karate, pottery classes, senior card games, line dancing, and the popular specialized recreation dances for adults with disabilities. The new facility will also serve as a summer day camp site once again.

“During the summer, we used to run a full-day camp at Herman Park Center,” said Brown. “After it closed, we expanded the program at W.A. Foster Center, but having Edgewood will allow us to offer more flexibility and better service.”

The summer day camp program, which serves children ages 7 to 12, has already reached full capacity for its first week. Registration began in early May and fills quickly, according to Brown.

Partnerships and Transportation

The department’s strong relationship with Wayne County Public Schools extends beyond building use. Parks and Recreation will have access to two activity buses over the summer for transporting children to off-site events such as bowling, skating, and movie outings. Many part-time camp staff are school system employees with commercial driver’s licenses, making coordination seamless.

“We’re lucky to have that partnership,” Brown said. “Some of our drivers are also PE teachers during the school year, so it’s a familiar and trusted system.”

Looking Ahead

While the current lease agreement is for one year, Brown noted that both the city and school board are open to a longer-term arrangement.

“This first year is about seeing how it works for both sides,” she explained. “But we’ve made it clear that we’re very interested in making Edgewood our permanent home. It’s going to take the place of Herman Park Center for us.”

Until the full move is complete, signs at Herman Park Center and the department’s temporary offices will direct the public to the new location. Though the transition is ongoing, Brown says staff are eager to fully settle in and once again offer centralized, robust programming for the Goldsboro community.

“We’re just excited to finally have a place to call home again,” Brown said.