Despite rain, over 100 attend Winston Lake Family Day
A young boy attempts to win a prize by competing in one of sev-eral games offered during Winston Lake Family Day on Sunday, Aug. 14.
Photo by Tevin Stinson
Expectations of Aquatic Park uplift spirits in East Winston
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
Just before Winston Lake Family Day was scheduled to start at Ray Agnew Field on Sunday, Aug. 14, the sweltering sun gave way to an unexpected summer shower that drenched the entire eastern portion of the city.
While the rain soaked much of the area that was set up for games, live entertainment and other activities for children and their families, volunteers from the Winston-Salem Department of Recreation and Parks, SciTech and the Josh Howard Foundation put on their thinking caps and made arrangements for the event to go on as planned, despite the weather.
As the parking lot of the football complex began to fill with families, volunteers moved the merriment out of the rain and under several brightly colored tents. While waiting for her son to pick his prize after winning one of several games offered during the event, Whitney Simms-Moore said she was impressed by the effort of the sponsors.
They could have easily cancelled the event because of rain, but seeing what they did to move everything in such a short period of time showed a lot of dedication,” she said. “For them do that, really shows how they are trying to make a difference in this community.”
14th Street Recreation Center supervisor Louis Lowery said it felt good to do something positive in the community at a point in time that most of the news reports on the East Winston community are negative.
According to representatives with recreation and parks department, more than 100 bags filled with school supplies and other items were distributed during the event. The annual event which marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year is usually held at Winston Lake. However, this year the event was moved to the home of the Tiny Indians, a youth football organization, because of the construction of the Winston Lake Aquatic Park. Earlier this month city council members and other officials held a groundbreaking ceremony to start construction on the pool, diving area, and spray grounds that will be located on the corner of Waterworks and Winston Lake Roads.
When asked about the coming attraction, longtime East Winston resident Samuel Downey said he could be excited to see the finished product. He mentioned the aquatic park will add value to a side of town that is often overlooked.
“It finally seems like city officials are starting to pay attention to the needs of residents in East Winston,” continued Downey. “With events like family day and the construction of the water park, East Winston seems to be headed in the right direction.”
