The money was already in the bank, but quite a few onlookers showed up Monday in Carthage to see state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird hand over a symbolic check for almost a quarter of a million dollars.

They gathered by the old steps leading up to the ball field where the new Carthage recreational park will be built over the next two years. Members of the Carthage Town Board of Commissioners were there. Superintendent of Schools Pat Russo was there, along with Moore County Board of Education members Linda McCaskill and Jennifer Garner. (After all, Moore County Schools made the park possible on nine acres of land the board owns next to Carthage Elementary School.)

Mayor Larry Caddell made it clear that this park is open to everybody. He said he wrote it down ahead of time so he wouldn’t forget.

“There will be no police officer standing in front of this park asking if you live in town or not,” he said. “All we ask you to do when you come is bring your kids and have a good time. There’s going to be no signs out front saying you can’t use it if you don’t live here.”

Other towns in Moore County either prohibit park use by nonresidents (as in Pinebluff) or double the fees charged (as in Southern Pines).

Parks Committee Chair Stuart Fields, Town Manager Bob Boyette, various members of the committee and of the Historic committee, and others applauded as Kinnaird handed Caddell a large, framed representation of a $229,486.00 check.

“All those who worked so hard, who did all the legwork, all the planning, convinced the people of this town that this was going to change their lives — and I know it will.” Kinnaird said. “On behalf of the folks in Raleigh and the folks here who did the work, I present this check. It’s my pleasure and honor.”

The mayor thanked the senator and expressed appreciation for her coming down to Carthage for the ceremony.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a major event,” he said, “that she hasn’t attended.”

He thanked the school board, not only for making this use possible, but also for subordinating its title to the town so that Carthage could borrow funds for immediate construction.

“We are not going to have to spread this out over two or three years,” he said. “We’re going to do this immediately. I cannot express into words, Pat, our thanks to the board for the confidence they’ve had in us, that we would do what we said we would do. I really appreciate that.”

Later, at the regular meeting of the Carthage Town board, park plans were presented for approval. About 60 percent of design work has already been done, and this was the final opportunity for board members to review the project. The remaining 40 percent of the design covers details like electrical and other utility specifications and similar matters subject to code and not requiring specific Town board review.

Architect Glenn Bradley, of VZA, presented the park plans.

“The Carthage Recreational Park,” he told them, “is under way.”

He unveiled a remapped park, with the ball field turned to a new, north-south axis, making the addition of a quarter-mile measured walking trail possible. He told about the planned classically styled amphitheater, with seats for up to 200 people and overflow room on grassy banks. He described a new entrance plaza, with a more gradual slope, that will be an ideal spot to meet friends for park outings.

“You can say, ‘Meet me at the baseball plaza,’ ” he said. “It is intended to be the gathering place.”

Some Town Board members expressed concern over not irrigating the new ball field. “I would like our kids to be able to play on grass,” Caddell said.

Irrigated grass does not develop long roots, Bradley said. He added that whatever is needed to be sure grass grew there could be done.

He answered questions from Ken Wachen about drainage in the theater, where the steep slope of the seating meets the paved stage.

The board approved the plans unanimously. The Carthage Recreational Park can go out for bids as soon as the remaining details are completed.

Other Business

Also on Monday, the board approved a zoning change from R-10 to RM-10 for St. Augustine Church Road and granted a conditional use permit for placing a mobile home to Brenda Lee.

The commissioners granted a conditional use permit to build a convenience store at the airport entrance to Roland Gilliam, and approved the appearance of the store as submitted.

Millage Johnson’s request for a conditional use permit to place a mobile home on Bruce Street, an area already zoned RM-10, was similarly granted.

The board approved awarding a certificate of appreciation to James “Pygie” Pugh and rescinded the 35-mph speed limit on Isley Street.

Speed limits came up for further discussion later in the meeting, when the board voted to grant an exception to the 25-mph limit on town-maintained streets to Sunset. Limits there will remain at 35 mph.

Two offers had come in for purchase of timber that must be cleared for the new water plant, and the board expects to accept the higher of the two, $7,100 from Squire Timber of Carthage.

Next month’s Town Board meeting was rescheduled from Sept. 18 to Sept. 19 so that members can attend the county public hearing on Carthage’s extraterritorial zoning.

“This is a very important night for Carthage,” Caddell said. “I think we all ought to be there.”

Two vehicles were declared surplus property, a Dodge van and a Ford Crown Victoria patrol car.

The board approved transfer of the cable franchise from TW Fanch-one to Time Warner.

Fire Chief J. D. Monroe asked for funds to hire a part-time firefighter. The new employee, the first paid member of the all-volunteer department, would be on hand 24 hours a week to handle an increasing load of paperwork and to do maintenance on equipment.