The planned South Park Heritage Trail is a 3.3-mile-long cultural trail that will tell the story of an important historically Black neighborhood. Located in the South Park Cultural District, the trail will enhance the neighborhood by promoting the history and stories important to its community, increasing awareness of the area’s rich history and its importance to downtown Raleigh’s evolution.
What is the importance of the South Park neighborhood?
East Raleigh-South Park is Raleigh's largest historic African American neighborhood and a designated National Historic District. It was mainly developed between 1865 and 1940 as African Americans moved to Raleigh in increasing numbers. Many were attracted to the southeastern part of Raleigh for its association with three prominent institutions located here: Second Baptist Church (now Tupper Memorial), which offered classes for African Americans of all ages; Shaw Collegiate Institute (now Shaw University); and the School for the Negro Deaf, Dumb, and Blind. The presence of Shaw University and the growing middle class that chose to live nearby helped make Raleigh, and East Raleigh particularly, a cultural center for African Americans as early as the 1890s.
What is the background of the Heritage Trail?
The South Park Heritage Walk report, developed by SPERNA in collaboration with the NC State University College of Design, documented much of the unique cultural history of this neighborhood through extensive community engagement efforts. The resulting report recommended creating a Heritage Trail to connect the neighborhood's various historical and cultural points of interest. The report suggested other area improvements, such as enhancing the community design, public spaces, and incorporating signage and wayfinding to improve the overall experience of the walk.
Project Details
- Type:
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Bicycle and Pedestrian
- Budget:
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$4,500,000
- Contractors:
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Design Consultant - Design Workshop | Public Artist - Stacey Utley
