Washington Park

In 1892, the Winston-Salem Land & Investment Company dedicated a 17 acre tract originally mapped as “Sunny Side Park” for use as a public recreational area. The original v-shaped area flanked a creek that ran through the development’s curvilinear western section. In 1928, the Old North State chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution funded a stone bench and stone and metal arch at the park entrance opposite Gloria Avenue’s west end that announced “Washington Park.” A second entrance arch followed as part of a NC Emergency Relief and Works Progress Administration initiative that also involved the creation of trails, stone benches, bridges, steps, and three Rustic Revival style pavilions in the 1930s.

In 1955, the City of Winston-Salem purchased approximately 47 acres from the Moravian Church’s Southern Province and then in 1989, another 11 acres from Pace Oil Company and Lester Burnette. At one point, the park included a man-made lake, but today offers basketball courts and baseball diamonds, playgrounds (including the wonderful Dinosaur Playground), the Salem Creek Greenway, and picnic facilities.

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