Brad Ragan Park Design Plan

Project Title: Brad Ragan Park Design Plan

Location: Spruce Pine, NC

Project summary:
The Appalachian Design Center is recruiting a multidisciplinary volunteer design team to help the Town of Spruce Pine develop a community-driven, concept-level design plan for Brad Ragan Park.

Developed in the 1970s, Brad Ragan Park is an important community recreation asset serving nearby schools, surrounding neighborhoods, and residents from across Mitchell County. The park includes a public pool, playgrounds, ball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, picnic areas, fitness equipment, a dog park, and the Mineral City Mile walking trail. It also has the potential to connect with other parks and destinations in downtown Spruce Pine through planned greenways.

As the Town addresses storm-damaged and aging facilities, it is also considering how the park could better support recreation, community gatherings, and connections to the surrounding community. The design team will explore potential improvements such as a new community recreation center with a two-court gymnasium, a splash pad, relocated playgrounds, picnic pavilions, expanded trail and greenway connections, and updates to other park facilities and amenities.

Volunteers will help evaluate how these ideas could work together within an overall plan for the property and contribute to concept-level recommendations that can guide future priorities, funding, and implementation.

This is an opportunity to apply your skills to a highly visible community project that connects recovery, recreation, and long-term community investment in Spruce Pine.

Project Timeline: August – November 2026

Apply By: August 12, 2026