Submitted

On Feb. 20, a groundbreaking will take place for the new Martin Luther King Dream Park, which will be located at 910 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. This historical ceremony will take place at noon. The MLK Dream Park plans to convert seven acres of land near downtown Salisbury into a recreational area that will include a Dream Trail, Field of Dreams, Dream Garden, and Dream Center.

Julius Koonce, head organizer of the initiative, has brought together numerous organizations within the community to aid in the planning and construction of the park. The park will honor Dr. King and continue his legacy by instilling the same hope, value, and sense of pride that was found in Martin Luther King’s dream. Koonce believes, “The MLK Dream Park and Center will be a beacon of light to an under-served community and provide resources that will transform lives.  Dr. King’s life revolved around helping people and we have purposed to do the same with the MLK Dream Park.”

Along with displaying appreciation for the life of Dr. King, the MLK Dream Park is intended to add value to underserved areas of the community and enrich the city of Salisbury by creating a safe and fun place for individuals to come together. The proposed Dream Center will provide a building space for continuing education, substance abuse classes, health education, disease prevention courses, and community gatherings.

The MLK Dream Park initiative is a collaborative effort involving a number of local businesses and faith-based organizations working to increase enrichment opportunities in the Salisbury community. The new recreational park and center will add immense value to downtown Salisbury and be a great addition to the city. For more information on how to become involved with the MLK Dream Park, contact Julius Koonce at 336-587-5764.

Guests can park at the parking lot at the Jaycee Optimist Sport Complex.