Image by Joshua Webb
Sarah Kate Purnell
Staff Writer
GREENSBORO – Downtown Greensboro’s LeBauer Park officially opened to the public on Monday, August 8.
The opening included many important participants both attendance and speaking, including Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan.
The park was established from the estate of Carolyn LeBauer, in memoriam following her passing.
Carolyn Weill LeBauer, of Greensboro, who passed away in March 2012, left a bequest to The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro with instructions that the money be used to build “a spectacular park for the people of Greensboro,” The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (CFGG) press release stated.
The park and urban landscape designs utilized country-wide experts to plan a downtown feature offering attractions for residents and visitors alike.
“The site is bounded generally by Davie Street on the west, Summit Avenue and Lindsay Street on the north, Church Street on the east, and Friendly Avenue on the south,” noted the CDGG release.
The CFGG press release also stated that “Working closely with City of Greensboro staff and community volunteers, the team received community input on suggested features for the park and crafted a design that will become the hub of a new cultural district in the heart of downtown.”
Lebauer Park includes a multitude of recreational activities and spaces. The park has nearly 180,000 square feet, with notable features, including: The Price/ Bryant Performance Place, The Downtown Greensboro Animal Hospital Dog Park, a Children’s Park, The Peacehaven Community Farm Sensory Space, and Market Square.
“In addition to the park amenities, LeBauer Park will feature a dense schedule of daily programs that are free and open to the public,” added the CFGG press release. “Programs will include live music performances, movie screenings, fitness classes, wellness classes, art classes, literary programs, dance classes, various kid and family programs, and much more!”
The kick-start to LeBauer Park activities was held on Sunday, August 14 with the lighting of the Janet Echelman sculpture Where We Met.
The hanging, net-like sculpture was lit using massive, multicolored lights for the public to enjoy.
“The artwork honors the textile industry,” Time Warner Cable News reporter Kristin Drummond explained, “The cables represent the railway lines that connected to Greensboro and made it a hub for many of the state’s textile mills; and the resulting sculpture is leaf like and billows in the wind.”
“In the winter, the net will be lowered to avoid ice formation and protect the material, “ Drummond stated, “It will be lifted back into place each spring.”
The opening was celebrated with various activities throughout the week. Events included: a showing of the movie Zootopia, performances by Funky Funky NC, Gypsy Danger, and Marcus B. Smooth, and ‘Yappy Hour’ at the park’s Dog Park.
Upcoming events at LeBauer Park include: August 24, 2016- Wednesday Morning StoryTime at 10:30 a.m., CVA Plein Air Studio at 4 p.m, and SoCa Groove with Jenna McMillan at 6 p.m., and
September 2, 2016- Star Wars: The Force Awakens at Cinema Under The Stars at 6:30 p.m.
Further events and information are available on the LeBauer Park Facebook page, @LeBauerPark.
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