The rainy weather couldn’t stop Salemburg from celebrating the grand opening of Love McDaniel Park on Saturday.
The rain held off Saturday afternoon, but the town was ready to celebrate rain or shine, with chairs and tents set up in the new picnic area, which was packed with families eager for the new park to officially open.
Mayor Joseph Warren Jr. welcomed the community to begin the ceremony before inviting Dr. Wesley Scoggins of Salemburg Baptist Church to give the invocation. Following the prayer, the N.C. Tarheel Challenge Academy Color Guard Team presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The park neighbors the Justice Academy.
Warren then invited a number of guests to speak, beginning with Earl McDaniel Jr. and his wife, Bridget, whose donation, along with the PARTF grant Salemburg received, made the park possible.
Warren described the generosity of the McDaniels over the years, even telling McDaniel, “Mr. Earl, your fire truck watered this grass because it’s been real dry,” referring to McDaniel’s past donations that helped purchase a fire truck for the town.
The mayor went on to explain there had been many times when he would tell McDaniel the town didn’t need any money, only to receive a check in the mail the next week.
When McDaniel learned Salemburg wanted a park, he wanted to help make that dream a reality. He shared how important the town remains to him, even after moving away years ago.
“It means so much to me to be a part of this community,” McDaniel shared, adding how much hard work he has seen the town put into the park.
“I especially want to thank Linda for all the hard work she did. I saw her riding the tractor, shoveling dirt,” McDaniel said about the mayor’s wife, Linda Warren.
McDaniel finished his remarks with a quote from Randy Travis: “It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind, it’s what you leave behind you when you go.”
“That’s what we’re trying to do,” McDaniel stressed.
McDaniel’s wife, Bridget, shared how special it was to be there and to have their son and grandson, Earl III and Earl IV, there with them, saying she hoped everyone would “enjoy today.”
Dr. Charles Royal of the Donnie M. Royal Foundation shared how Donnie M. Royal never had any children of his own but helped birth many babies in Salemburg, and that he and his wife loved the children of the town.
“I think they would have loved the idea of having children play,” Royal said.
Sen. Brent Jackson described Salemburg, Roseboro and Autryville as three of his proudest moments, adding that while he has an Autryville address, he’s closer to Salemburg.
“I’m six miles from here,” he emphasized about how close he lives to the park.
He concluded by saying that since McDaniel quoted a song, he wanted to quote a TV show.
“We’re moving on up,” Jackson stressed.
N.C. Justice Academy Assistant Director Dan Worley stressed how much he loves the town of Salemburg, calling it his “beloved hometown.” He was especially proud to announce a lease for the town to acquire the land beside the park that belongs to the Justice Academy, adding how instrumental Linda Warren had been in the process.
“I have worried this man to death,” Linda Warren added.
Mayor Warren thanked the park committee, town staff, Jackson and Jimmy Williams, who did the sod for the park, saying he always says, “I want it done the Jimmy way.”
The town also offered special thanks to Flash BBQ, JR Williams Construction, Salemburg Volunteer Fire Department, Mid-Carolina Regional Council and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation for choosing Salemburg to receive a PARTF grant.
Then it was time for the ribbon-cutting, first in the picnic area with the McDaniel family and then at the playground, where the children cut the ribbon and excitedly pulled streamers off every swing and slide.
Several of the youngest children could be heard asking their parents, “When do I get to play?” during the speakers’ remarks and were thrilled when their chance finally came.
Catherine Ward, a local homeschool mom of four, shared how grateful she is for another place to take her children, as well as the opportunity to fellowship with other moms and their children.
“I’d like to thank the mayor of Salemburg, Joe Warren, or as I endearingly call him Uncle Joe, for all of his work to help make this amazing opportunity,” Ward stressed.
The playground and picnic area are officially open, with a splash pad still to come.
As Salemburg says, “Life is better outside: Come to the park.”