An Exploration of the Parks in Raleigh, NC [Infographic]
by John Egan
March 03, 2017
Raleigh, NC, is witnessing the birth of an urban park.
In 2015, the City of Raleigh bought the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus for $52 million with the intent of transforming it into Raleigh’s version of the famed Central Park in New York, NY. World-renowned landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh was tapped in February 2017 to create a blueprint for Dorothea Dix Park.
“Our goal for this project is simple -- for Dix Park to emerge as the most remarkable new public park in America,” says Kate Pearce, project manager for Dix Park.
Today, the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department oversees 130 acres of the 308-acre Dix site. Much of the rest of the land is leased by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
On this map, the boundary of Dorothea Dix Park is outlined in red.
Pearce says the state health department is expected to relocate to a new location in about 8½ years, toward the end of the current 10-year leasing period. At that point, the City of Raleigh will control most of the Dix property, she says.
City officials say it’ll take two to three years to produce a master plan for the 308-acre site. The master-planning process will kick off in the summer of 2017.
Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane says she’s looking forward to Van Valkenburgh developing a master plan for the park “that reflects the past, captures the present and reveals the future of Dorothea Dix Park.”
“Raleigh is a hub of innovation,” the mayor adds, “and I am so excited to see what Michael is able to accomplish in partnership with our wonderful community here in Raleigh!”
As the City of Raleigh envisions the future of Dix Park, we invite you to check out the infographic below about Raleigh’s park system.
Top Photo: Vimeo/Lift Aerial Marketing
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