Stinger Park

A 40-acre sports and recreation park with ball fields, courts, playgrounds, trails and a seasonal splashpad.

Aerial view of Stinger Park showing baseball and softball fields, blue tennis and pickleball courts, a central plaza with playgrounds and shelters, and parking

A Hive for All

The vision for Stinger Park was born out of the idea that it can serve Bessemer City not only as a recreational park, but also as a tourism destination, economic driver and catalyst for growth.

Grand Opening

A Community Grand Opening took place on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 6 pm with a ribbon cutting celebration, activities, and entertainment to celebrate Bessemer City’s newest park.

Let’s Swarm Together

In 2015, Bessemer City began the journey of developing a new park for citizens and visitors to enjoy. The vision was to create a space that is inclusive, accessible and diverse.

Stinger Park Mission Statement

Stinger Park is a life enhancing experience that allows all socio-economic communities to swarm together through health, wellness, and cultural elements that ultimately improve quality of life for the community and betters the environment for building a colony of success in Bessemer City.

Park Features

Baseball/Softball

Stinger Park is home to three (3) tournament-style baseball/softball fields. The fields host regional tournament leagues and are also accessible to the general public.

Stinger Park’s premier field is the showcase area that not only hosts baseball and softball, but may also be used for future entertainment.

Multipurpose Fields

Located close to Bessemer City Primary and Central Elementary Schools, Stinger Park includes two (2) multipurpose fields for football and soccer. These fields are used by tournament leagues and the general public, and are easily accessible to students from both schools.

Tennis & Pickleball

Stinger Park includes two (2) tennis courts and two (2) pickleball courts for the general public.

Concessions & Restrooms

Concessions and restrooms are easily accessible for visitors of Stinger Park. Concessions are available during tournaments and other large-scale uses.

Playgrounds & Splashpad

Stinger Park includes two (2) playground areas with accessible features for all: one near the multipurpose fields and another in the park’s plaza area. The seasonal splashpad is next to the covered shelter and playground.

Greenway/Walking Trails

Stinger Park includes walking paths and trails over the 40-acre site connecting park features.

The greenway planned for the park (following Gibson Branch Creek) will eventually connect further into the community as part of a larger greenway network including the Carolina Thread Trail.

Park Plan

Stinger Park master plan, A Hive for All. Phase I covers 25 acres with 18 more acres for future phases, and the park is projected to attract over 40,000 visitors a year. Features: three baseball and softball fields with batting cages, two multipurpose fields, two pickleball courts and two tennis or pickleball courts, 3,550 feet of walking trails, a 40-foot splash pad, picnic areas, two playgrounds with ADA accessible features, festival space, cornhole courts, 255 parking spaces, a field house with concessions, and ADA accessible restrooms. Access road at N. 12th Street. — Stinger Park master plan and feature snapshot

Site plan rendering of Stinger Park showing the access road from the school campus, two multipurpose fields, parking, three ball fields around a central plaza, and tennis and pickleball courts — Site plan rendering. Select the image to open a larger version.

Grants & Financing

$500,000.00 Gaston County Township Grant (CaroMont Health)
$500,000.00 North Carolina Parks & Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant
Loan Financing Provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Park Goals

Health & Wellness: providing health and wellness opportunities to the general public
Accessibility & Connectivity: accessible for all and connected to the community
Economic Development: a catalyst for tourism and growth

Who Made It Possible

Bessemer City
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
North Carolina Parks & Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF)
Gaston County
Gaston County Schools
McGill Associates
Neill Grading & Construction

Location of Stinger Park

Note: Vehicular access to the park is off of North 12th Street, sharing an entrance with Bessemer City Primary School.

Get directions to Stinger Park (Google Maps)

Tell Us What Excites You About Stinger Park

Share your ideas and feedback by calling City Hall at 704-629-5542.

Groundbreaking, April 2021

Groundbreaking setup: a project sign listing the Stinger Park sponsors, a Stinger Park podium, a banner, and ceremonial shovels standing in a mound of red clay — The groundbreaking site

Mayor Becky S. Smith speaking at a Stinger Park podium beside the project sign — Mayor Becky S. Smith giving remarks at the Stinger Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

Five officials with ceremonial shovels tossing red clay in front of a Stinger Park banner — Left to Right: Council Member Joe Will, Ward 3; Mayor Becky S. Smith; Council Member Kay McCathen, Ward 2; Council Member Alfred Carpenter, Ward 5; Council Member Donnie Griffin, Ward 6

NC USDA RD Participates in Groundbreaking at Stinger Park

Release Date: Apr 21, 2021

BESSEMER CITY, N.C., April 21, 2021. Various federal and state officials joined U.S. Department of Agriculture North Carolina Rural Development in a groundbreaking ceremony at Stinger Park today.

USDA is investing $7.8 million to develop Stinger Park in Bessemer City.

The park will contain:

Trails
Playgrounds
Concessions
Restroom buildings
Athletic courts and fields
A facility maintenance building

USDA obligated the initial loan for this project in September of 2019. The city has requested subsequent funding needed to complete the park.

“This last year showed us the value of parks in our local communities,” said a representative from North Carolina USDA Rural Development. “The ability to get outside and have a place to enjoy the openness of nature is gift and Bessemer City is giving this rural community.”

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

F.A.Q.s

Here’s an interactive way to review F.A.Q.s about Stinger Park: Stinger Park FAQs (Flipsnack)

State Tournament, July 2023

The park hosted the 2023 North Carolina Dixie Youth Baseball AA D2 State Tournament June 30 to July 6, 2023! Visit the Parks and Recreation Facebook page for pictures!