The Belhaven Garden Club and the Greater Belhaven Foundation are gearing up for the cherished biannual event, Art for the Park. The event will be April 16th from 6:30-8:30 at the Fairview Inn.
Art for the Park 2024 raised over $17,000 for our neighborhood parks. These funds were used to support the installation of the Keith Haring Fitness Court and Connector Trail at Belhaven Heights Park, and maintenance and playground installation at Laurel Street Park. This year, we are turning our attention to the beloved Belhaven Park. In the early 2000s, Belhaven Park was invisible and at worst, an eyesore rather than a park worthy of its name and location. It was unloved for more than 30 years and became a magnet for trash, weeds, illegal dumping and undesirable behaviors. A group of people, led by Greater Belhaven Foundation Executive Director Virgi Lindsay, came together in 2006 to change the destiny of Belhaven Park. Neighborhood residents and businesses rallied to support the effort because they knew that the park must be saved in order to improve, protect and enhance the neighborhood. Great care was given to the design of the park so that it would fit seamlessly within the Belhaven Historic District and a Certificate of Appropriateness was granted from the Historic Preservation Commission for the project. Improvements included doubling the size of the original park footprint by purchasing an overgrown adjacent parcel as well as the addition of attractive fencing, interior and exterior walkways, landscaping, benches and decorative lighting, all at a cost of almost half a million dollars. Today the restored park, which bridges commercial and residential properties, is enjoyed by residents and people who work at area businesses, hospitals, colleges and other organizations nearby for picnics and games, walking, jogging and strolling, or music and theatre performances.
Twenty years later, it is time for the Foundation to once again turn its attention to this important green space. At the retirement party of former councilwoman, Virgi Lindsay, it was announced that GBF would begin a fundraising campaign to completely revise the current stage at Belhaven Park into a state of the art public amenity named in honor of our former Director. To that end, we have raised almost half of what we need to erect this fantastic improvement to Belhaven Park. The funds raised from this year’s Art for the Park will go directly towards the remaining project costs for the Virgi Lindsay Stage at Belhaven Park.
Greater Belhaven is becoming a beacon for outdoor enthusiasts across the country and is expanding its commitment to being a healthy and vibrant place to live. Your sponsorship dollars help turn this commitment into a reality and your generosity ensures our parks and green spaces are around for many generations to come. We hope that you consider sponsoring Art for the Park which in turn preserves these Greater Belhaven retreats. We thank you in advance for your consideration!
