Sandy Pines Park

In 1985, the City of Hickory purchased a 12.45-acre site for the development of a neighborhood park. Over the following decades, the City had considered developing a plan for the park several times. A lack of public demand, as well as focus on other priorities, had left the site unplanned. Recognizing the growing need for public parks and open space, the City sought to develop a master plan to create a vision for the park and establish a budget for improvement.

Benesch developed the master plan and budget estimates for the park, and conducted two community workshops to gather input on recreation needs and proposed facilities. Priorities discovered during the public involvement process included providing “walk-to” amenities for the many residents living within a half-mile radius of the park while focusing on low-impact recreational activities. These recreational activities include paved trails, a natural playground, fitness stations, picnic shelters, restrooms, half-court basketball, cornhole and soft-surface parking.