WS Chronicle

After years of attending meetings and urging city and county officials to bring a swimming pool to her neighborhood, Marva Reid’s dream came to fruition last week when Winston Waterworks water park officially opened on Friday, May 25. 

Reid, who serves as the president of the East/Northeast Neighborhood Association, said her journey to bring a swimming pool to East Winston started more than 15 years ago. She said when she was growing up in the neighborhood swimming was a part of her childhood and she wanted to bring that back so another generation can enjoy. 

“It was a long time coming over 15 years but I’m grateful to everyone for their support. Thank you for seeing the vision that the people in the East Ward had,” continued Reid. “… We have to remember to care about our kids and that they need to learn how to swim and save their lives. 

“Having a dream is great but to see dream become reality it’s awesome,” she said.

Located at the corner of Waterworks and Winston Lake roads, the water park  is unlike any other in the city and probably the state.

Built with $5 million in bonds, approved by voters in November 2014 bond referendum, the water park includes a pool, a lazy river, a spray ground, and a water slide. The facility also has a changing room, restrooms and a concessions stand.

When discussing the project, Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks Director William Royston said historically there were several pools moved from East Winston neighborhood and it was time to bring something new to the community. 

He said, “l’m glad to be a part of this process and get to this point where we could build a pool the Winston way and an aquatic facility that’s truly representative of the diversity in our community.” 

During Memorial Day weekend Waterworks water park was open from 12 to 6 p.m. and free of charge. The park will officially open for the summer on Friday, June 2. 

Just the beginning 

While it may have taken more than 15 years to bring the water park to life, it may only be the beginning to the transformation of Winston Lake Park and surrounding communities. 

If approved by voters in November, Winston Lake Park could see a $5.3 million investment coming its way.  

As part of a 2018 Bond Referendum, proposed improvements to Winston Lake Park include a lakefront strollway, lake dredging and dam repairs, a fishing pier and fishing pavilion. Improvements to the restrooms and “pedestrian improvements” are also listed on the “to do list” for Winston Lake Park. 

When discussing what’s on the horizon for the lake located in the heart of the East Winston community, Montgomery, who represents the East Ward and is a co-owner of The Chronicle, said, “This facility represents just the first stage of an investment in Winston Lake Park.”

He continued, “When we think about what’s happening here with investment, nothing like this exist in the city of Winston-Salem in our parks and recreation repertoire and it exists right here in the East Ward.”

Montgomery finished by saying the improvements to Winston Lake Park will continue to make it a destination for citizens in the community and across the city. 

For a complete list of project proposed by city officials in 2018 Bond Referendum visit cityofws.org.