Greensboro Plan2Play Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2019

GREENSBORO PLAN2PLAY MASTER PLAN - 21

Setting the Scene

Greensboro’s parks and recreation system is a product of the interplay of cultural, economic, and ecological histories. Unlike many towns that were sited in relationship to unique natural features such as rivers or bays, Greensboro was quite literally placed in the center of the County, thus earning the town its nickname, the “Center City.” As the town grew from its initial 14 block radius, development was nestled within the Piedmont’s rolling hills. Early parks were often located along less desirable lowland creek corridors. Fisher Park, Greensboro's oldest park founded in 1901, is a prime example of a linear park following a creek corridor. As Greensboro grew, primarily through annexation during the 20th Century, a patchwork of diverse communities was knitted together to form a dynamic urban center.

This pattern of growth created a quilt of communities founded with differing economic and cultural goals. For the most part the parks and open spaces that remained, while integral to community life and commonly sited along stream corridors, were the result of many different decision makers versus a overarching master plan. Plan2Play builds on Greensboro’s rich cultural, economic, and ecological legacy of diverse communities, while also attempting to offer a bold vision for the future. It offers a framework for the Department to leverage their existing physical and programming strengths to create a system that celebrates history, attracts new economic investment, and offers a healthier environment for people, plants, and animals.

Figure 7. Historic map of Greensboro.

Figure 8. Historic image of Battleground Park.