Wilson Park

Where is this Park?                                                 

This park is located at 675 Park Ave.     

Wilson Park is located in the center of the city.  It is bordered to the north and south by Prospect St. and Louise St. and  to the east and west by Park Ave. and Wilson Ave.  With 21.5 acres, it is Fayetteville's first and oldest park.

Park History

As early as 1929, a portion of today's Wilson Park was known as Trent Pond.  Named because of a spring-fed pond that was founded by A.L. Trent and occupied the east side of Wilson Park. Trent pond was a favorite of locals; used as the city's swimming hole and a social gathering area.   Scull Creek is a unique feature of the park, fed by a spring that surfaces from under the castle, it flows south along the east boundary of Wilson Park, under the swimming pool, and exits at the west boundary of the park. The first portion of Wilson Park was purchased in 1944 from Dr. N.F. Drake for $16,000. The remaining 16 acres were purchased and donated from Charles Marrow Wilson in 1946 for $15,000.  Known as "City Park" for years it was then officially named Wilson Park.

 Park Amenities

• Playgrounds (2)
• Softball Field
• Swimming Pool
• Tennis Courts (6)
• Basketball Court
• Volleyball Court (sand)
• Restrooms
• Picnic Areas
• Gazebo
• Green House
• Castle Area
• Walking Trail (.9 miles)

  Wilson Park "Castle" History                         

An active spring emerges from behind the iron door with the Dogwood flower on it.  Prior to 1979 , there was an unsightly concrete spring house located over the spring.  The presence of this spring house is why this site was chosen for the "Castle".  During the early 1900's, this spring fed into what was known as Trent Pond, the local swimming hole which was located exactly where the ball field is now.  In the early 1930's the current swimming pool was constructed, eliminating the need for the old swimming hole.

 During the 1960's and '70's Wilson Park became increasingly popular, the spring house area was considered unsafe and unattractive. As a result, all agreed that this area had the potential for a creative, interactive park feature to be designed and constructed.   In the late 1970's a contest was held to present ideas to citizens, Park's staff and Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB).

Artist and Sculptor Frank Williams won the contest with a scale model of what would eventually be known as "The Castle". Originally, Frank named it "Seven Points". The castle features seven cement "points" and a rock in the foot bridge with the number "7" in it. Soon after completion  in 1981 it was nicknamed "The Castle".

The Castle has become increasingly popular over the years, receiving thousands of visitors annually.  Over time, structural integrity of the castle began to weaken, requiring renovations to the original project, which were completed in 1999 and 2004.  Rock walls on the planting spaces were improved, aggregate walkways were added, entry areas enlarged, the bridge rails were re-built, and the dam below the bridge was reinforced.  Created by Artist Eugene Sargent other improvements include the addition of Ferro-cement benches that resemble flowers and leaves, a flower fountain was fashioned for the pond, and in 2009 the "worm" retaining wall was added.

The Castle is nestled among gardens and trees.  They are the collective work of Parks and Recreation gardeners and many devoted volunteers.  Follow this link for more on Wilson Park Gardens.