Beth Schmidt Park

Beth Schmidt Park
2150 Elon Park Drive. Elon, North Carolina
Phone: 336.449.9255 | Open: 7AM-7PM Oct-March Open: 7AM-9PM April-September

The Town of Elon provides services at two parks. Named after two distinguished citizens, Beth Schmidt and Lawrence Slade, the parks offer facility rentals, free events, and many community programs year-round. Beth Schmidt served the Town of Elon for over thirty-years in various capacities, including Town Manager and Mayor. Lawrence Slade, was one of the longest serving Aldermen in Elon history, serving 20 years before his retirement in 2011.

The well-visited Beth Schmidt Park (Schmidt Park) opened in 2005 and was the town’s first recreational facility. It boasts the largest playground in the area, with a 72 component playground set, of which 67 components are special- needs accessible. This fenced-in playground provides safe play for 2-12 year olds under adult supervision. Other amenities include a walking trail, disc golf, and indoor and outdoor rental facilities with restrooms. In 2006, the Town opened Alamance County’s first dog park which is located at the park. K-9 Corner offers inactive and active play areas for properly socialized and vaccinated canines under the watchful eyes of the owners.

Morgan Place Park was purchased from Alamance County in 2008 and renamed Lawrence Slade Park at Morgan Place (Slade Park) in 2012. Slade Park received a complete renovation in 2014 and offers a collegiate size, Frank Haith, Jr. outdoor basketball court, amphitheater, picnic shelters with nearby restrooms, bocce ball courts, corn hole courts, walking track, and a playground for ages 2-12 to enjoy with adult supervision.

Elon Recreation and Parks provide many events and programs throughout the year. Since Beth Schmidt and Lawrence Slade still reside in Elon, it’s very possible you may be right beside them as they still participate and enjoy the Elon community.

Schmidt Park - 2150 Elon Park Drive
- 2002 PARTF GRANT RECIPIENT-

Slade Park - 404 Ball Park Avenue
-2014 PARTF GRANT RECIPIENT-


HISTORY
Beth Schmidt's Career with Town of Elon:
* On August 15, 1972, Schmidt was hired as the Town Clerk of the Town of Elon College, one of six town employees. Her duties included collecting taxes, taking minutes at the monthly town council meetings, and doing the town's books. She served as the police and fire dispatcher, and handled the town's water and sewer bills
* In 1982, Schmidt became the Town Manager after the town changed its charter to allow her to be appointed to the new position. To prepare for this position, she attended the Institute of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill to become certified in municipal government administration. During her time as Town Manager, the town acquired a new fire truck. She also oversaw the town's savings to construct a town hall. The hall was built and completed in 1989. She retired from the position of Town Manager the same year
* In 1994, Schmidt was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Alderman due to the death of Alderman Robert Olsen. In 1995, she was elected alderman and served two more years in this capacity
* In 1997, Schmidt was elected Mayor of the Town of Elon College, replacing retiring Mayor Jerry Tolley. Schmidt, the first female mayor of Elon College, ran unopposed
* Schmidt was re-elected in 2001, serving a total of eight years. During her tenure, Mayor Schmidt negotiated intergovernmental agreements with the City of Burlington, the Town of Gibsonville, and Alamance County. She developed and maintained positive working relations with Elon University, the Twin Lakes community, and the Elon Homes for Children
* Among her accomplishments as mayor: the Town of Elon changed its form of government from Mayor/Council to Council/Manager. Furthermore, in 2001, when Elon College transitioned to Elon University, the Town of Elon College changed its name to the Town of Elon. In addition, the town realized a number of major capital programs, including the significant expansion of the water and sewer system, as well as the construction of the town's first park
* In 2004, the new town park was named after Schmidt to honor her many years of service to the Town of Elon. (Information retrieved from the archives at Elon University)

http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/library/ead/msscoll044bethschmidt.html