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Group working to bring new activities to Tryon park

TRYON—The Town of Tryon has owned Ziglar Field in Tryon but there has never been much activity. A group of people are now talking about bringing new life to the park, including ideas of for an ice skating rink during the holidays and having a music venue there. 

During Tryon Town Council’s latest meeting, commissioner Crys Armbrust said he and a number of individuals over the past several weeks have discussed some ideas for the park. 

Armbrust said the town acquired the park in 1968 and the town has done very little with that property. The park is located at the corner of Vaughn Street and East Howard Street just behind downtown. 

Armbrust said the town was named Ziglar Field 6-8 years ago in recognition of the Tryon All Stars, which was an African American semi professional baseball team who practiced at the park from 1946-1968. 

Chris Spillers said he understands there’s been minor use of the fields through the years and would love to see that area come back to life. 

He said his initial idea was to build a temporary ice skating rink for the holidays. He said local businesses could help support it as a form of advertising for them. 

“You could do literally a winter wonderland down there,” Spillers said. 

He also said other ideas are to build a modest stage to have local musicians in order to have concerts there, saying it would be a good place for families to go. 

Spillers said the town could eventually turn the park into a music venue. 

“I think if we approach it the right way over a period of years we could turn it into a venue that could bring revenue into town,” Spillers said, mentioning Red Rocks. 

“Combined with grants and possible sponsorships it could turn into a valuable asset for the community,” Spillers said. 

Parks committee member Jerry Soderquist invited Spillers to come speak with the committee, as he said the committee talks about Ziglar Field on a regular basis. Soderquist said the committee has looked at a number of ideas over the years, recently placing a horticulture garden there. 

Spillers said he thinks there is enough time to do something for the holidays next year and could then look at building an overhead shelter. 

Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples said organizers should figure out what they want and how much it will cost. 

Commissioner Bill Ingham said he thinks all town officials would like to see something happen with Ziglar Field.