Durham Central Park Founders Curt Eshelman (l) and Allen Wilcox (r), cofounders of Durham Central Park. One warm and sunny day in the spring of 1994, Curt Eshelman and Allen Wilcox took an evening walk through Durham’s old tobacco district. These two life-long friends, both current residents of the Trinity Park neighborhood near downtown Durham, were stunned to see that this section of town had fallen into sleepy neglect. Although it was once the bustling home for the Durham Bulls and a strong tobacco industry, the lively auctions and exciting ballgames had gone away, leaving in their place weedy lots and vacant, dilapidated buildings. Most people would have sadly commented on the unfortunate state of the area and would have walked right on by, busy with their own lives and other priorities. Not Curt and Allen. They began to dream about bringing new life to this section of downtown Durham and transforming it into a vibrant urban neighborhood. Their excitement was contagious, and soon other people were inspired by their enthusiasm and commitment. Working with Bill Kalkhof at Downtown Durham, Inc., Curt and Allen enlisted widespread community support and started to create a vision for Durham Central Park. They dreamed of a park that would provide much-needed greenery in the middle of concrete and asphalt, offering a restful haven for people who live, work and play in downtown Durham. Curt and Allen also imagined that the park could be an outstanding venue for many types of activities, including leisure, arts, exercise, entertainment, and learning. Step by step, their dream is becoming a reality. The park is being created through a successful public/private partnership between the City of Durham (which owns the land) and a nonprofit organization called Durham Central Park, Inc. Progress in the park is clear to see, from the colorful red street signs on every corner in the area to the leafy grove that now represents Durham’s special relationship with Sister Cities in other countries. And the new George Watts Hill Pavilion for the Arts, recently constructed by the nonprofit organization Liberty Arts, Inc., beneath the park's magnolia mural, is a sure sign that the park will soon become a focal point for arts and culture. Curt and Allen believed that a lively urban park in downtown Durham could rejuvenate the surrounding area, much like the ripples that move outward when a stone is tossed into a quiet pond. They were right. Arts organizations, small businesses, and even a new public charter school have sprung up in the area, with more exciting developments to come. Many people have become excited about helping Curt and Allen to create the park. And although not everyone has the energy that Curt and Allen do, all of us want a brighter future for our community. You can help make it happen by becoming a Friend of Durham Central Park or by becoming a volunteer. Join us today!