Amay James Urban Agriculture Park
Amay James Urban Agriculture Park
The Amay James Urban Agriculture Park (AJUAP) Master Planning Study will evaluate the feasibility for an Urban Agricultural Park on the Amay James Park Property. The Study seeks to enhance the community’s relationship with the land by investigating the potential for conscientious production, culinary heritage preservation, landscape stewardship, and proactive natural resource management. The AJUAP Master Planning Study aims to partner with the community to help with their ongoing efforts to build a foundation for land and food sovereignty in Mecklenburg County and specifically in the West Boulevard Corridor.
The Amay James Urban Agriculture Park Master Planning Study is funded through a Planning Project Grant from the USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Competitive Grant Program. The Master Planning Study will evaluate multiple uses for the public including fruit and vegetable production, active and passive recreation areas and natural habitat at the Amay James Park Property.
Below you will find project updates and timelines, meeting dates, key contact information, and other important information about this project. We encourage you to provide your input and stay connected!
What is an Urban Agricultural Park?
An Urban Agricultural Park is a hybrid of two landscape types: a traditional park and an urban farm. It weaves the productive landscape and the recreational landscape into a rich tapestry that aims to celebrate the culture of a place, the relationship of its inhabitants to the land, and their relationship to one another.
An Urban Agricultural Park in Mecklenburg County is a place that can:
• Spark curiosity by supporting community-engaged research
• Foster relationships through both planned programs and chance encounters
• Empower community through education
• Preserve cultural heritage through open dialogue and intergenerational exchanges
• Build ecosystem resilience through natural resource conservation
• Inspire landscape stewardship through learning and play
• Be centered on equity and justice for all members of the community
• Provide a forum to engage with agriculture practices
• Provide passive and active recreation elements that support and bring community members together
• Promote the integration of agricultural practices into daily community life through education about and the practice of cultivation, production, culinary arts, and other crafts
July 2024 Update:
After months of research, planning and design, we are ready to present to you the Conceptual Plan for the Amay James Urban Agriculture Park Study. We thank you for your input and participation at meetings, site visits, community events, design workshop and/or with the survey and public input webpage! The research and your input guided the Conceptual Plan.
Amay James Urban Agriculture Concept Plan Presentation Recording.mp4
May 2024 Update:
The design team is using all the research and public input completed to develop the conceptual plan for the Amay James Urban Agriculture Park.
Thank you for your participation at the Design Workshops on 3/21/24:
Thank you for your input on the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W7G7QKY
Your responses will help inform the Amay James Park Urban Agriculture Planning Study.
Amay James Park Property:
The Amay James Park property is 41 acres, located at 2415 Lester Street in Charlotte, NC and currently includes the Amay James Recreation Center, the N.C. Cooperative Extension-Mecklenburg County Center, unpaved trails and parking.
Amay James Park & Surrounding Community:
Project Schedule:
Additional questions?
Contact:
Joyce Figueroa, Planner
Joyce.Figueroa@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1055
Amay James Urban Agricultural Park Design Workshop (Session 2)
Please join your community to share a vision for the Amay James Urban Agricultural Park at your choice of design workshop sessions: Thursday, March 21 at 1-3pm or 6-8pm. Please RSVP for your preference. The Design Workshop will include a project overview, a small group design activity and feedback, and next steps. A light meal will be served. Hosted by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and McAdams.
Prior to the event, if you can take the survey (link below). This will help the design team prior to the workshop gain additional data.
Amay James Urban Agricultural Park Design Workshop (Session 1)
Please join your community to share a vision for the Amay James Urban Agricultural Park at your choice of design workshop sessions: Thursday, March 21 at 1-3pm or 6-8pm. Please RSVP for your preference. The Design Workshop will include a project overview, a small group design activity and feedback, and next steps. A light meal will be served. Hosted by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and McAdams.
Prior to the event, if you can take the survey (link below). This will help the design team prior to the workshop gain additional data.
A Black History Month Celebration of Community + Collective History!
Amay James Recreation Center Presents A Black History Month Celebration of Community + Collective History!
Come Join us for food, games, Hoops Contest, Storytelling, Quilt Making and more.
Celebrate your community history with us! Bring your photos, documents, or other memories related to Charlotte's community history. The J. Murrey Atikins Library at UNCC will be on site to scan them, return them, and provide you with a flash drive copy at no cost.
Use your voice, share your history, have fun and learn more about Park and Recreation projects in the area.