Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc.

Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. is a non-profit organization that serves as the executive management of LeBauer Park and Center City Park in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. It operates in partnership with the City of Greensboro, focusing on maintaining these parks while fostering community engagement, public activation, and vitality in the urban environment[1][2][4].

Mission and Finances

The mission of Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. is to ensure the financial well-being, maintenance, and overall vitality of its managed parks. It achieves this through a variety of programs and events, which help to energize and transform former urban spaces into thriving community hubs[1][5].

Parks Managed

Center City Park

• Location: 200 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC.
• Features:
  • Oval Lawn Pavilion, known for hosting the City Sunsets concert series.
  • Sculpture fountain features inspired by North Carolina's Piedmont region.
  • Paved walkways and green spaces accessible by mobility devices.
  • Historic Henry E. and Shirley T. Frye sculpture, commemorating the first Black Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court[1].

LeBauer Park

• Location: 208 N. Davie St., Greensboro, NC.
• Features:
  • Cafe Europa and food kiosks, including Lawn Service by Little Brother Brewing and Parkside Pull-Up.
  • Price/Bryan Performance Place.
  • UNCG Great Lawn, accommodating up to 4,000 people.
  • Playground and dog park.
  • Janet Echelman aerial sculpture “Where We Met”.
  • Seasonal Plaza with interactive fountains.
  • Lincoln Financial Children's Garden and NC's only Women's Holocaust Memorial, "She Wouldn't Take off Her Boots" by Victoria Milstein[1].

Community Engagement

Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. attracts over 240,000 visitors annually and offers over 350 free programs and events each year. These programs range from arts and cultural activities to wellness initiatives, catering to diverse ages and interests, including events for pets[2][4].

Historical Background

The transformation of downtown Greensboro into vibrant urban parks is deeply connected to the city's history. From its origins as parking lots, these parks have evolved into central community spaces, honoring the region's rich history and its role as an intersection point for various Indigenous tribes[3]. Today, the parks serve as hubs for community connection and cultural exchange.