Community Education Forum sponsored by the GBC
Park Superintendant Charles Cranfield discusses the park's land
acquisition program with Nadine Leisz, Chief of the National Program
Center for the NPS Land Resources Program in Washington, DC.
acquisition program with Nadine Leisz, Chief of the National Program
Center for the NPS Land Resources Program in Washington, DC.
A
number of business and governmental officials attended an education forum sponsored by the Guilford Battleground Company at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park on Tuesday October 21, 2008. The forum is part of a program to educate the community at large about the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and Tannenbaum Historic Park, and to highlight the importance of the preservation of these two Greensboro landmarks.
T
he forum updated this group about two important projects at the park, one which is well underway and the other in the planning process. The land acquisition program which the GBC has pursued for several years has already acquired twelve residential parcels from sellers whose property was part of the original battlefield. The other project would provide for the capability to connect with a tram system five adjoining parks: Tannenbaum Historic Park, the National Military Park, County Park, Jaycee Park, and the Natural Science Center.
F
rank Mascia, president of the GBC, discussed the significance of the twelve parcels which have been acquired since the GBC has undertaken land acquisition as a major project of the organization. The recent purchase of the 4.55 acre Wood's property which adjoins the park along Old Battleground Road was an essential acquisition. Current negotiations are underway on a 1.8 acre tract that is a key parcel to the park due to its location. When the project is completed National Military Park and Tannenbaum Historic Park will be connected by a four hundred foot wide corridor along the present Green Acres Drive. This area is approximately the center of the line in which the British Army advanced toward the American first line. It is truly historic ground and its addition to the park will be extremely significant.
Greensboro City Councilman Zack Matheny,
Marc Isaacson, US Congressman Howard Coble and
Assistant District Attorney Robert Enochs were among
the attendees of the GBC Educational Forum.
Marc Isaacson, US Congressman Howard Coble and
Assistant District Attorney Robert Enochs were among
the attendees of the GBC Educational Forum.
S
upt. Cranfield presented the advantages of an internally interconnecting tram system that would be capable of delivering visitors to all five parks. Visitors would be able to park at one location and visit any or all of the parks without the necessity of moving their cars. The entire five park areas could become an all day destination site. Last year there were approximately 500,000 visitors to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. A tram system to facilitate moving visitors from one park to another should enhance tourists' experience and promote increased
visitation to all of the parks.
T
he Guilford Battleground Company is grateful for the support of its membership and others such as the Piedmont Land Conservancy, The Weaver Foundation, Tannenbaum Sternberger Foundation, Carolina Bank, and Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro which are making this land purchase program possible.
