GARLAND — Many residents of the small southern town say they are very excited about a project that may be headed to Sampson County — a state park off of Black River.

Carlton Crenshaw, who is originally from Garland but now resides in Harrells, is one of those individuals.

“I love wildlife, and I think we should protect it,” said Crenshaw. The Garland native explained that there are already enough places bringing industry, and having one place designated to protect nature would be well worth the energy of putting it here.

He also noted that there are a number of rare trees, including the chinaberry tree, which he felt would need to be secured, something he believes would happen if that area of Sampson received a state park designation.

“Having a park would be just fine with me,” he said.

While some may be thrilled by the state park concept, in the past some have addressed concerns over the strict rules in parks that do not allow hunting on the state’s property. But Crenshaw, who is a hunter, does not think that this will be problem.

“There are so many other places to hunt,” Crenshaw explained.

Garland resident Judy Montoya also encourages the idea of a state park in the southern Sampson area. “I think it would be a nice addition,” Montoya commented.

And while she has avid hunters in her family, she still thinks that her family would look forward to a state park being here.

“They would be thrilled,” Montoya added.

One resident who wished to not be named said that she, too, is in favor of the park. In fact, she is in favor of discontinuing hunting altogether.

“No hunting would be a good thing,” said the resident.

Garland resident Jimmy Hill agrees that an area designated as a state park would be welcomed.

“I guess it would be fine to have a state park,” said Hill.

In addition to families appreciating more time outdoors in a state park, Marie Faircloth, who is the director for the Garland Senior Center, sees a state park as an opportunity, particularly for her aging clients. It would, she emphasized give them more chances to get out.

“I think seniors would be happy to have it,” said Faircloth, noting that it would be a place that they could travel for natural beauty without driving a distance.

“It would be somewhere that they can go to visit and have local education,” said Faircloth.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.