Kernersville has all the elements of a successful full-service town. We have our own police and fire departments, which ensures a very short response time in the event of an emergency. There are four fire stations strategically located within the 17.79 square miles of Kernersville’s town limits.
Our Public Services department keeps streets well maintained and clear in the event of winter weather. The Solid Waste division has automated trucks for separate trash, yard waste, and recyclables pick up. The Kernersville Parks and Recreation Department manages nine public parks as well as a recreation facility. The community is excited for the 80 acres that will become Pope Park on the southside of Kernersville.
“The time is always right to do right” — Nelson Mandela
The town’s Community Development office proactively plans for future growth and coordinates planning with neighboring municipalities. The town’s communication department is linked with county, regional, and state law enforcement to ensure coordinated efforts in the event of an emergency.
Our town is under the leadership of a mayor and five aldermen, with elections held every two years. Because of their caring, progressive leadership, the community has reaped the benefits of good leadership, and is well positioned for future growth. The caring town staff manages that growth efficiently.
The town has also worked diligently to improve the “walkability” of the community, while making it handicapped accessible. All new housing developments have sidewalks.
A great example of community service is the Kernersville Police Department. The Kernersville Police Department hosts “Coffee with a Cop” opportunities for citizens to meet informally with police officers. The department hosts frequent community seminars to help residents avoid scams and safeguard their assets. KPD officers open locked cars for citizens, provide funeral escorts, and participate in fund raisers for worthwhile causes. “Cops on Top” is a KPD fund raising effort for Special Olympics and they also generate support and provide leadership for the anti-drug and alcohol program, Kernersville Cares for Kids. Police presence at events such as Spring Folly, Downtown Trick-or-Treat, 4th of July parades and other events provides positive interaction with the community. All the Kernersville public schools have School Resource Officers (SRO’s) assigned, making our schools safer, and establishing a positive relationship with the students.
The town has developed partnerships with various organizations to provide cost-effective services for the community. The Kernersville Community Pool, Splash Pool, and outdoor pool is a partnership with the Kernersville Family YMCA. The town has a long-standing relationship with the Kernersville Soccer Association for a 1,200-player league to play their games at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex, and Kernersville Cannons lacrosse is played at the Bagley Lacrosse Complex. Most recently the town and Kernersville Bicycle Club has developed the 3.6 mile Kernersville Mountain Bike trail. The Kernersville Farmers Market, a project partnered with the Rotary Club, is located on town property.
The town has received recognitions for many of its departments. Kernersville Police Department earned a CALEA certification of excellence, the Fire & Rescue Department is certified as a Heavy Rescue Department, and the Parks & Recreation Department is the smallest community in the state to receive a CAPRA certification. The town is certified as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Since 1999 Kernersville has maintained an official Sister City relationship with Dashi, Taiwan, with reciprocal visits every few years. In addition, the Sister City Commission has also kept a relationship with Furtwangen, Germany, the birthplace of Joseph Kerner. We also periodically host delegations from other countries interested in features of our town.