On this December day, I’d like to share some wonderful news. The North Carolina Council of State voted to allow the City of Raleigh to develop a major park on the Dorothea Dix campus.
I can’t help but be reminded of Dorothea Dix’s remarks in 1848 when she and her committee were selecting the site for the new hospital. She said, “This location has a commanding view of the city and is believed to be perfectly healthy.” Here we are 164 years later, celebrating that same beautiful piece of land, excited for what’s to come.
This has been a long, hard-fought journey by so many. I would like to take a moment to thank the Board of Directors of the Dix Visionaries for their unwavering support over the last seven years. They have been a major source of my inspiration and have guided and given me direction in the pursuit of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am eternally grateful for the commitment of these individuals, our shared vision and bold leadership.
The Dix Visionaries would like to thank our advisory board for their guidance and support. We’ve been blessed with support from leaders across the state and our great nation. The Visionaries would also like to thank Friends for Dix Park under Jay Spain’s leadership, Dix 306 led by Bill Padgett, NC Sierra Club and Susan Bowers, NC Society of Landscape Architects, Triangle Greenways Council, Conservation Fund, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Commercial Real estate Development Association, National Association of Independent Office Parks, WakeUP Wake County, North Carolina State University and the THOUSANDS of community, political and business leaders across North Carolina who continue to support our vision.
We are thankful for YOU and your dedication to Dix Park.
North Carolina seized its opportunity to join other great cities in having a Destination Park for generations to come. Through creative master planning and execution, Dix Park will deliver millions of visitors to experience what Dorothea Dix herself espoused, “There is power in nature.”
Dix Park, contiguous to North Carolina State’s Centennial Campus and within shuttle distance from Downtown Raleigh, is positioned to become an economic engine, drawing a creative class of business leaders to the area. North Carolinians will be proud of their “Central Park.” A Destination Park will boost the global appeal of our region, reputation of our state and join the North Carolina Museum of Art, Durham Performing Arts Center, Research Triangle Park, new Nature Research Center and Regional Universities in making the Triangle one of the most sought-after regions to live and visit in America.
Gandhi once said, “First they will ignore you, then they will laugh at you, then they will fight you, and then you will win.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Gregory Poole, Jr.
Chairman, Dix Visionaries
Many, many people have shared the dream of this Park, and have worked tirelessly to make it real. Please click on the Dix Park Story and by learning some of its fascinating history you will pay honor to those without whom it would still be little more than a dream.