Public-Private Collaboration to Enhance Fisher Park This Fall

Fisher Park will receive improvements this fall thanks to a public-private partnership between the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department and The Contemporary Foundation.

The City adopted a master plan for Fisher Park in 2022, which remained unfunded, and recommended improvements including enhancing entryways and landscaping, elevating gathering spaces and furnishings, and facilitating play while supporting the historic elements of and uses within the park.

The upgrades were initiated by donor Dave Staub, president of The Contemporary Foundation and Fisher Park resident, who sought to improve his community's local park. Staub and Parks and Recreation staff collaborated to develop a framework to guide significant private investment enhancing the long-term health and viability of the park in alignment with the park's adopted 2022 master plan, community interests, and historic district requirements. Plans were supported by the Fisher Park neighborhood association and later approved by the City's Historic Preservation Commission and Technical Review Committee. Along the way, revisions were made to plans based upon community feedback.

The Contemporary Foundation's first phase of improvements at Fisher Park will be within the west section near Victoria Street. An all occasions gathering space comprised of a bluestone patio and wall seating will be constructed in a location where the neighborhood is accustomed to holding community events. New stonework consistent with the look of the park and improved landscaping at entries will call attention to points of access to the site.

Through this partnership, local landscape architect Callaway and Associates has designed a four-seasons garden. The garden will be comprised of native plants and offer a venue for respite during all times of the year. New native trees will be planted, which will improve future tree canopy. Along with the garden, Greensboro sculptor Jim Gallucci will fabricate a custom metal sculpture called "Divine Wind," which will enhance the entrance into the park from Fisher Park Circle.

"Fisher Park is an iconic, cherished space that is unique to Greensboro. It was important to me that prominent local firms and artists were engaged to do the work, as there is considerable talent available within our community," Staub said. "I was delighted to be able to work Chip Callaway, Tim Daniel, Jim Gallucci, Parks and Recreation staff, and others involved each with great familiarity with Greensboro, on elements of this transformative project."

Building off of the 2022 adopted master plan created by Greensboro-based Revington Reaves Landscape Architecture and Planning, Parks and Recreation engaged local civil engineering firm Westcott Small and Associates to complete the project's technical design. The City will improve access into the area of the park through the development of an accessible pathway and parking space along Fisher Park Circle. With The Contemporary Foundation's continued support, the intent is for improvements to continue into the east park area until the entire park been improved as recommended by the master plan.

Work began this week with the removal of approximately 11 trees - necessary to make way for the project's hardscaped area or due to the trees' condition or invasive classification - and construction will follow through 2026 and into 2027. During the project, the section nearest Fisher Park Circle and Victoria Street will be closed for safety. An additional 30 canopy trees will be planted as part of the landscape plan for the west park section.

"Greensboro Parks and Recreation is extremely grateful to The Contemporary Foundation for their interest and significant support of this exciting project," said Phil Fleischmann, Greensboro Parks and Recreation director. "We look forward to residents being able to enjoy the improved park while attracting those using nearby amenities including the Downtown Greenway to visit and enjoy this space. Our hope is that this project will serve as a catalyst for demonstrating how similar private interests can enhance our park system."

For more information on the project, visit Greensboro Parks, or the Fisher Park neighborhood association webpage.