Al and I took a visit to Spencer Woods Park today.  The official name of the preserve is Fred and Alice Stanback Educational Forest and Nature Preserve.  It is a lovely and simple place that I believe could serve as a model for the Beaty St. property.  And the best thing is that the citizens of Davidson already own the property.  The property in Spencer was almost lost to clear cutting and development but because of some clear thinking people the property was instead put into conservancy with the LandTrust for Central North Carolina and donated to the town.  What it has become is a beautiful place for citizens to enjoy.  It is a passive park.  There are no ball fields or tennis courts but there are walking trails, picnic shelters, a pond with a floating dock, and a parking lot. There is room for wildlife and for people to enjoy nature’s beauty. The park is within walking distance of the business district of Spencer and the NC Transportation Museum. It is surrounded by residential neighborhoods.  The process used to design the park is similar to what has been proposed here in Davidson: opportunities for citizen input led by a professional.  Here’s a link to the report about the proposal for developing the park. http://www.ci.spencer.nc.us/vertical/sites/%7BB85238E8-43CC-4172-AB03-A2E1A50D5927%7D/uploads/SpencerWoodsReport_PARTF.pdf

I encourage you to drive to Spencer for a visit.  Spencer is located in Rowan County and only about 50 minutes away.  You can take a back road route and avoid I-85 to see some lovely rural countryside. Like we did, you might stop for some good barbecue for lunch. Put Fred and Alice Stanback Preserve, Spencer NC in your google maps or other navigation device and let us know what you think.