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A place to honor history, connect with neighbors, and enjoy nature.
Rooted in history - designed for community
Northeast Gateway Park is envisioned as a welcoming space that celebrates the African American history and heritage of Wake Forest’s Northeast Community. Centered on the historic Ailey Young House, the park will connect visitors with the neighborhood’s stories while offering places to gather, learn, and enjoy nature.
Shaped by community input, the vision includes walking paths, shaded gathering spaces, public art, and interpretive signage.
The project emphasizes preserving historic and archaeological resources, protecting mature trees, and creating comfortable, accessible spaces for people of all ages and abilities.
Explore the Vision
See how community input, site history, and design ideas come together in the Ailey Young House and Northeast Gateway Park Vision Plan and view the concept rendering.
Project Background
Both the Northeast Community Plan (adopted 2021) and Historic Preservation Plan (adopted 2022) include action items to preserve the Ailey Young House and create a Gateway Park around it to celebrate the history of the Northeast Community.
Other plans that factor into the Northeast Gateway Park are the Community Plan, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Comprehensive Master Plan, Ailey Young House Preservation Manual, and Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
The ca. 1875 Ailey Young House is a Wake Forest historic landmark and a rare surviving example of African American housing from the Reconstruction era. Purchased by Ailey Young in 1895, the house was the childhood home of Allen Young, who helped establish Wake Forest’s first private school for Black children. The Northeast Gateway Park Vision Plan places the house at the heart of the park, preserving its historic setting while creating opportunities for visitors to explore the Northeast Community’s heritage, gather, and reflect. Read more about the Ailey Young House.
Extensive community engagement took place from October 2024 through July 2025 to inform the park’s Vision Plan. Community members expressed a desire for a passive gathering space that celebrates the history of the Northeast Community. The vision also draws on community input gathered during the development of the Historic Preservation Plan and the Northeast Community Plan.