Carlton Family Water Feature at Spencer Town Park to open for season
The Carlton Fountain is located adjacent to the Gathering Lawn and the F&M Bank Pavilion.
Splash pad will operate six days per week through September
SPENCER – Kids of all ages will find a refreshing place to cool off in Spencer starting Monday, June 15. The Carlton Family Water Feature at Spencer Town Park will operate Monday through Saturday from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. Operating months going forward will be June, July, August, and September. It will also operate at selected other times during events in the Park.
The Water Feature is located adjacent to the Gathering Lawn and the F&M Bank Pavilion with native landscaping, seating, and picnicking opportunities nearby. It includes five flush-mounted bubblers and a recirculation system that captures, filters, and treats the water to minimize water consumption.
Since the opening of Spencer Town Park in the summer of 2025, Town staff have been working on permitting and licensing to comply with Health Department regulations. In addition to the automated water treatment system that maintains water quality similarly to a swimming pool, certified Town staff will test the water at least once each day that the Water Feature operates to confirm it is safe for public use.
Spencer Town Park was constructed in 2024 and 2025, funded with significant grants and donations. The $2.2 million project was funded through a mix of state grants, local investment, and private donations—including a generous gift from Fred and Alice Stanback and a successful $333,000 fundraising campaign launched at the 2023 groundbreaking.
The Carlton Family Water Feature was made possible with a donation in memory of Maxine Smith Carlton and Thomas Kern Carlton by their children. In addition, the Carlon Family has made an additional gift to the Town to construct a children’s exploration and play area in the vicinity of the Water Feature. Town Staff are pursuing additional grant matching funds and will involve the community in concept planning for this addition, anticipated to open in 2027.
In addition, with the support of Rowan County Tourism and the Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, a decorative entry archway will be installed this year on the existing columns at the corner of Salisbury Avenue and Fifth Street. The archway will feature the Town’s logo on both sides of a circular element suspended from the arch, reminiscent of the historic Spencer Park archway in place until the 1960s. Learn more about the ongoing capital campaign for Spencer Town Park and how you can get involved at spencernc.gov/makeyourmark.