You’re invited to Thursday’s Ailey Young House Heritage Site/Northeast Gateway Park Open House

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 will be 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 Thursday, Oct. 24, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wake Forest will host a public meeting (drop-in style open house) at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., where attendees can share their thoughts and opinions on park priorities, opportunities, and challenges. Discussion will also cover a variety of topics focused on how best to achieve the project goals.

The session will have an informal, open house-style format, so community members can drop in anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. to view displays, ask questions, and share comments. Town staff and representatives from McAdams, the project consultant, will be on hand to answer questions and gather public input. The Forks Cafeteria & Catering will provide free boxed meals  (while supplies last).

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.

Additional citizen engagement opportunities will be offered in the coming weeks. To learn more, visit https://engagewakeforest.org.