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From WSJ Staff Reports —
The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host virtual public meetings at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, and Thursday, Feb. 17, to solicit input from residents concerning the future of Holding Park, 133 W. Owen Ave.
You can join the session of your choice from your computer or smartphone at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88304427476?pwd=NzZZaTVGY0RWakZaVDEvVHR1bzV0QT09.
Each interactive session will include a brief presentation, followed by an open discussion where attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share suggestions. Town staff and representatives from Barrs Recreation, playground designer, will be on hand to answer questions and gather public input.
Discussions will focus on reconstructing the Holding Park playground and how to achieve the appropriate balance between the renovation and maintaining the park’s historical character. Information gathered during the sessions will help identify and develop the future park redesign.
In the meantime, residents are invited to complete a brief “Picture Holding Park” survey via Engage Wake Forest at https://engagewakeforest.org/.
PRCR Director Ruben Wall is urging all area residents to offer their input by completing the survey and/or attending one of the virtual public meetings.
“Holding Park is one of our most popular parks, so it’s important for our residents to have a strong voice concerning its future,” said Wall. “That’s the purpose of our ‘Picture Holding Park’ survey and public meetings. We want everyone who cares about Holding Park to have an opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions.”
Centrally located near the downtown area, the five-acre Holding Park offers an abundance of amenities, including:
- Wake Forest Community House
- Holding Park Aquatic Center
- Playground featuring five slides and swings
- Picnic tables
- Charcoal grills
- Basketball court
- Butterfly garden
Preliminary plans call for the removal of the existing playground and construction of a new all-inclusive playground. Town officials insist the facility will be constructed in a manner consistent with the park’s surroundings and historical significance.
Funding for this project was made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). For more information about the information sessions, contact Ruben Wall at 919-435-9561 or rwall@wakeforestnc.gov.
