As Sunday’s Hurley Park Spring Celebration affirmed, a little park can make a big difference.

With 18 acres, Hurley Park can’t offer a petting zoo and paddle boats, as Dan Nicholas Park does. It can’t satisfy hikers looking for rugged terrain, as Eagle Point Preserve can.

But Hurley Park, founded 30 years ago, can provide a peaceful respite for people who want to go on a short walk and take in seasonal beauty. Stretching along Annandale Avenue near Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, Hurley Park has been the scene of weddings, prom pictures and countless pleasant moments. If it’s true that parks reflect a community’s spirit, Hurley Park shows that Salisbury appreciates nature and the benefits of a quiet walk.