October 25, 2025
Downtown Smithfield Is Getting A New Park — And You Can Help Name It
SMITHFIELD — Big changes are coming to downtown Smithfield. The corner of Market Street and N 3rd Street will undergo a major makeover by turning an underused, overgrown lot into a vibrant gathering space.
The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC), in partnership with the Town of Smithfield, Johnston County, and the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, is bringing this project to life. The park will reflect what makes Smithfield special: community, creativity, and connection.
Plans call for refreshed landscaping, colorful plantings, outdoor seating, and playful design elements. The park will also feature public art inspired by books, interactive playground equipment, and outdoor games, all thoughtfully integrated with the nearby Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.
It’s designed to be fully accessible and family-friendly, making it easy for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re stopping by the nearby Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield or just passing through downtown.
“This park is all about creating a place where people can slow down, have fun, and connect with one another,” said Heidi Gilmond, Executive Director of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation. “It’s a big step toward making downtown Smithfield a welcoming hub for our whole community.”
Want to be part of the park’s story?
The DSDC is inviting the public to help choose a name. Submit your ideas at downtownsmithfield.com through October 30. The top ten names will be shared in November for a community vote, and the winner will be revealed at the park’s grand opening. The person behind the chosen name will also be recognized during the celebration.
Construction is expected to take about 6–8 weeks. Once complete, the park is expected to become a signature downtown feature — blending landscaping, art, and recreation into a space that reflects Smithfield’s character and community spirit.
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Utility costs are rising, taxes keep going up, and everyday expenses are already high — yet the town seems more concerned about building a park. It feels like a slap in the face to the community. I want to see my tax dollars used responsibly, but instead the town’s leadership continues to prove itself a joke.
Wait till you see what they want to spend for a baseball stadium almost nobody wants or will attend.
I have to agree with the other comment.Need to put money in the roads! Need to do something about high utilities bills, & Selma.
The article states that the corner of N Third and Market is an “underused” and “overgrown” lot. Sorry, but I don’t see any lot at the corner of Market and Third, much less one that is o overgrown. Are they talking about the area outside the library with the Frank Cree ch statue? What are they proposing to do with that statue? It is lovely and so appropriate for the library.
I agree that space is not big enough for much of anything!!!
They even got the blonde lady jogging LOL!. Have no Idea who she is but I always see her running up and down N. Brightleaf Blvd. and through Downtown Smithfield.
I’ve got the perfect name for it but if I put it on here, my comment will get censored.
Someone’s construction company is getting a nice check to build a useless park in a teeny space where giant semis go through and is teeth shatteringly loud that makes no sense for people to go to just cuz they knew someone up high.
This sounds like a scam who is getting this contract?????there is not enough room here to do much of anything….please call town hall and find out what’s up!!!
Fix the roads!
Fix the roads. They are full of potholes and places where the soil has been pushed from the pavement.
Umm, there is one glaring omission from the article……the cost. My guess it is ridiculously high.
Name it WAWOM … What a waste of money