Siler City Central Park Project is granted $15,000 of seed money through NC STEP!

This Monday night, at a Siler City Town Council Meeting, delegates from Siler City’s NC STEP Leadership Team presented our proposal to the Town Council. The proposal outlined a number of proposed projects which could utilize the $100,000 STEP Grant awarded to Siler City last April.

Among these many visionary, practical, well derived, and inspired projects, was the Siler City Central Park project proposal to transform the vacant lot (1.5 acre) behind the NC Arts Incubator into a downtown ‘Central Park’, to be utilized and enjoyed by locals and visitors to Siler City alike.

Original Vision

My original intension for this park was to preserve the space as an open natural space.

I have always found the space to be special. Its is sort of washed out looking, but has a small stream running through it, and I've have always felt possessed a certain idylic calm, and charm.

Over the years, I had occasionally discussed the idea with adjoining Courtyard Cafe Owner, Joan Underwood (also a landscaper), who had expressed interest in the idea of developing it as a green space. I had also discussed the idea with local Artist and Activist, Roger Person, and last year, Roger invited me to join the discussion/process with NC STEP, seeing it as chance to possibly make a proposal.

Developing Vision
I have spent many an evening, leaning against the concrete footings of the old gas tank, watching the sun set over that field.
But I realized that now was time for action, a window of oppurtunity.

So afternoon, before an NC STEP meeting, I took a few hours to pace the field out, and  drew up a plan.

Added Market Shelter/pav.

List key features- Market oriented inwards towards space.

Containment. Restoration of creek.

The team.

I have assembled an awesome team.

Dan Sundberg, a Landscape Architect, and Builder of Parks, through his company, United Biospheres.

Murial Eylers- Market Manager of the Siler City Farmer’s Market

Ann Bass- Director of the NC Arts Incubator, and a Landscape Architect

Joan Underwood- Owner of the Courtyard Café, Landscaper/Horticulturist

Roger Person- Interdisciplinary Artist, Gallerist, Activist

Pam Hawe- Systems Analyst

Diana Hales- Retired Publicist
Zoanne Adams- Chair of Siler City Merchants Association

We have since been joined by:
Donald Dones, Parks Superintendant
Sue Szary, Fiber Artist and Community Organizer 

Some Supporting Cast Members

Paul Horne Park Planner for the Town of Pittsboro

Amanda Sands- Soil and Water

Gabriel Soltren- Urban Planner, Film Maker

Project Embraced by NC STEP Leadership Team

At a certain point in NC STEP process, we had to decide as a group which of the many projects we were to move forward with. So we voted on which projects would receive how much of the funding they were requesting. Though I wasn't able to attend the meeting where we voted, we were quite encouraged to learn that of about 30 proposed projects, the Siler City Central Park project received the most votes, putting it at the top of the list for funding!

VICTORY!
Somewhat Miraculously, on Monday, the Siler City Town Board unanimously agreed to support our entire proposal! They said that they were grateful for what we were doing for the community! It was really nice to know that they appreciate what we at the Leadership Team are doing, and that we have their support!

Now, with the Town Council's blessings, we are moving forward to turn this dream of a park into a reality!