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Waxhaw Downtown Park
2024 Main Street Award: Design
Best Outdoor Space Improvement
Benesch
JD Goodrum Company
Barrs Recreation
Town of Waxhaw
Waxhaw’s Downtown Park is a transformative project that embodies innovation, inclusivity, and community spirit.
Since 2012, the Town of Waxhaw envisioned creating a large downtown gathering space. This vision began with the purchase of a 9.9 acre plot on the south side of Downtown Waxhaw and evolved through a 2017 Parks Master Plan, which identified the site as ideal for a regional park with trails and open spaces. Over the past three years, this vision materialized through the masterful designs of Benesch and the dedication of Waxhaw’s Parks and Recreation team.
On May 11, 2024, during the spring Kaleidoscope Festival, Waxhaw Downtown Park officially opened, offering residents and visitors a nature-inspired, multigenerational, and accessible destination.
Guided by Parks and Recreation Director Dena Sabinske’s commitment to inclusivity, the park was designed to meet the cognitive and physical needs of all community members. Features include wheelchair-accessible playground equipment and swings, a basketball tree, an interactive stream—the first of its kind in North Carolina - a pollinator garden for hands-on learning, and a bicycle pump track for teens. Thoughtful amenities such as large family restrooms with adult-sized changing tables further demonstrate the park's emphasis on accessibility.
Funding for this ambitious project came from a combination of sources: a $425,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant, a $600,000 state appropriation, and additional support from American Rescue Plan Act and Capital Improvement Plan funds. The plan also included $1,000,000 in sidewalk and street enhancements, improving access and connectivity.
The impact has been extraordinary. Since opening, the park has drawn over 30,000 visitors, boosting downtown foot traffic by 28,000 compared to the same period last year. Local businesses are thriving, with new retail and dessert shops creating seven jobs and contributing to a thriving community atmosphere. Enhancements to surrounding streets have improved accessibility and safety, and the market value of the site has surged by over 300%, reflecting its transformational impact.
Waxhaw’s Downtown Park is more than a recreational area; it’s a testament to what’s possible when connection, inclusion, and creativity are prioritized. This space will continue to craft lifelong memories for our residents and visitors, solidifying Waxhaw as a unique and welcoming destination.
