E. Carroll Joyner Park

Wake Forest, North Carolina

This 118 acre site was originally farmed as part of a plantation and then granted to freed slaves at the end of the civil war.  The master plan called for a mixture of passive and active recreation facilities and a new community center.  The key to public support was to minimize disturbance, physically and visually, to the view of the property from two bounding roadways.  The tranquil views of the meadows and groves for people passing by were as highly valued as any potential aspect of park development.

Phase 1 of construction included an amphitheater, a performance garden, an extensive wall-enclosed perennial garden, restroom and shelter structures, a 2000 foot long stone ribbon wall, 3.5 miles of trails, restored farm structures, significant infrastructure improvements, and a new parks maintenance facility.  The entire rolling site is handicap accessible.

Read More

Restoration and aesthetic enhancements included a pecan grove, 20,000 bulbs planted amongst the pecans, creek-side floodplain improvements, dam and pond reconstruction, and the use of native plants around 170 parking spaces for filtering storm water and providing wildlife habitat.

The visioning process actually began in the mid-nineties when we identified this site’s potential as part of the Town’s long-term recreation planning.  Once acquired, community interest and involvement was wide-spread and keenly attuned to the opportunities at hand.  Community involvement yielded a broadly and firmly supported plan.  The initial phase of construction was funded in part with $750,000 in grant monies.