When does a neighborhood park become a park? If this question were posted on NRPA Connect, the responses would be many and varied. A planner may indicate this as the moment the respective authority identifies in writing the given piece of land as parkland. The mayor might not call it a park until a ribbon has been cut — even if still raw land. But, the community living near this site won’t call it a park until they can use it and enjoy it.
And use and enjoy they can at this year’s Parks Build Community beneficiary — Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. While this park was officially opened several years ago and contained a small playground and community garden, it was clear Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department was not done with this space. And it was clear the community wanted more. After looking at several parks and parklands throughout the Charlotte area in mid-2013, NRPA staff honed in on Lincoln Heights, knowing the potential to transform this space.
On October 16, 2014, a crowd of almost 200 NRPA Congress attendees and Charlotte residents broke the proverbial bottle of champagne on what is now Charlotte’s most glittering neighborhood park. Now, there is no question whether Lincoln Heights neighborhood has a park. Because, they have THE park!
Made possible in large part through the generosity of Playworld Systems, Greenfields Outdoor Fitness, Poligon by Porter Corp. and Cornilleau USA, this park build transformed a fine park into an amazing park. Complete with a variety of play pieces that invite children of all ages to run, climb, jump and swing, along with covered seating for parents to visit while keeping an eye on the youngsters, the expanded play opportunities were a hit even before construction was finished. Including the park system’s first outdoor fitness equipment installation further defined this neighborhood park as a special place for residents to build stronger health and community. Through great support from Mecklenburg County providing considerable time and resources, the new and improved Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Park opened on schedule and with much fanfare.
The dedication of this park included a truly impressive high school marching band performance, a few incredibly aggressive rounds of table tennis and one council member so impassioned she took to swinging her cane. NRPA has its sights set on Las Vegas and by the time you read this, we may have next year’s Parks Build Community site selected. It will take a lot to top Charlotte, but thanks to this year’s Parks Build Community success, we know just how to do it. Learn more about Parks Build Community.
Jimmy O’Connor is NRPA’s Director of Grants and Partnerships.