We want to hear from you! Town seeks feedback on Ailey Young House Heritage Site/Northeast Gateway Park

The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of developing a conceptual site plan for a new park in the Northeast Community anchored by the Ailey Young House, 400 N. White St. Community input is the cornerstone of the effort to produce a concept plan that respects the unique history of the site, celebrates the rich history of the Northeast Community, and provides park space for the community.

On June 26, Wake Forest hosted a public meeting (drop-in style open house) at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., and invited attendees to share their thoughts on two concept plans and the name of the park.

Now, the Town is asking residents to complete a short survey about the project. Available at https://engagewakeforest.org/ailey-young-house-heritage-site-northeast-gateway-park, the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is open to everyone, including those who attended the June 26 open house. The survey will remain open until Tuesday, July 29.

The park design team will use the responses to refine the concept plan for the future park.

The Ailey Young House is a circa 1870, saddlebag form house that is the oldest known African American historic resource in Wake Forest and a Local Historic Landmark. The Town of Wake Forest owns the Ailey Young House and the land on which it sits totaling over three acres. The Northeast Community Plan Update (2021) and the Historic Preservation Plan Update (2022) recommended that the Town should develop the site as a gateway into the Northeast Community and a place to celebrate the African American heritage of Wake Forest.

For more information, email Senior Planner for Historic Preservation Michelle Michael at mmichael@wakeforestnc.gov.