On Saturday, November 23, 2013, the Gastonia Parks and Recreation Department celebrated an historic day as it opened Phase One of Optimist Club Park, the City’s newest park, and first major public/private/non-profit partnership to build an entire park from the ground up. The Optimist Club donated the land for the park, near the West Gastonia Boys’ and Girls’ Club it operates, and raised $170,000 in public contributions for park equipment. Several private companies donated in-kind products and services. The City provided the designing, planning, engineering, and actual labor to build the park. It is estimated that the project would have cost at least twice as much to build had it been done so through the usual bid process with contracted developers. Phase One includes paved sidewalks around four distinct areas that feature a large playground with special apparatus for toddlers; an open lawn area; a butterfly garden; a picnic grove with tables; and a commemorative paver section at the base of a lighted flag pole that is flanked by wall seating. Phase Two will create a connecting trail between the park and the West Gastonia Boys’ and Girls’ Club property. Hours of Operation: Dawn - Dusk, daily. Physical Address: 359 S Vance St. Gastonia, NC 28052