LANDIS — Landis has a whole lot to offer to its visitors and residents alike, and with the groundbreaking of the DC and Frances Linn Park on Friday, in due time it will have a whole lot more.

Friday’s ceremony was the result of countless hours of planning and preparation by numerous committee members and town officials determined to bring the vision of the late Linns to life. The park will be located in the 100 block of North Central Avenue, along the main strip of Landis’ commercial district, on land bequeathed to the town by the Linns in order to build a park for the area residents to gather.

Thanks to decisions made by the minds behind the project to honor the Linns’ wishes, it will not only be conveniently centrally located for easy access, but it will tie in historic elements of Landis like the old jail and train depot. On Friday, town dignitaries and surviving family members joined others on the land where the park will be created to celebrate the hard work that has taken place thus far while looking toward the future.

“It is important to pause and reflect on the journey that led us here,” Mayor Meredith Bare Smith said. “A project like this doesn’t happen overnight. It is the result of a shared vision, steady persistence and the dedication of many caring individuals.”

In the crowd were several members of the Linn family tree.

“It is especially fitting that we honor the Linn family, and in particular the loved ones of DC and Frances Linn — Edward and Susan Norvell (daughter), Tim and Ellen Messinger (daughter), Philip and Meredith Norvell, Elizabeth and Alice Norvell, Alex and Katie Messinger and Benjamin and Peter Messinger,” Smith said.

Speaking on behalf of her late parents, Susan Norvell said, “They would be over the moon.”

Ellen Messinger added, “They would be very happy. This was our father’s dream.”

Norvell reiterated how it was her father’s last wish and how the work’s culmination represented a larger effort by the town that would have made DC proud.

“I think it is wonderful,” she said. “We cannot wait to see the end product. Everyone has worked so hard and we are so thrilled with the town of Landis.”

Messinger added, “It really is a special day. It’s been a long time coming. It was a big dream and it was something our dad really wanted.”

As the mayor pointed out, the park honors the Linns with more than a namesake.

“This park bears the Linn name not only because of who DC and Frances Linn were, but because of the values they embodied: generosity, community spirit and a deep and abiding love for this palace and the people who call it home,” Smith said.

The mayor also thanked the individuals on the D.C. and Frances Linn Community Park Committee which included, along with herself, Chair Michelle Gray, Parks and Recreation Director Jessica St. Martin, Dannon Webster, John Hall, Randall Peterman, Katie Sells, David Sells, Summer Faw, Leanne Freeze and Ashley Stewart.

“Your tireless work, collaboration and belief in the future of this park have laid the foundation, both literally and figuratively, for something truly lasting,” Smith said.

Commenting on the park’s namesake, Gray said, “Both DC and Frances were dedicated to seeing South Rowan flourish and served on many boards, often as charter members, seeing many essential community projects created to benefit this beloved community of theirs.”

Their last gesture of good will towards the town they loved was no exception and the park will stand as a testament to that. With ground officially broken, the construction can begin.

“This is more than just turning over a bit of soil,” Town Manager Michael Ambrose said. “It’s the start of something meaningful — a project that represents vision, commitment and progress. Today, we celebrate not only the physical buildings and park that will rise here, but the impact it will have on our community for years to come.”

Ambrose mentioned how all great things have modest beginnings.

“Let us remember that every great achievement begins with a single step, or in this case, a single shovel of earth,” Ambrose said.

Alderman Ryan Nelms, also serves as the director of the DC and Frances Linn Memorial Foundation, which was formed in 2024 and which is currently working on fundraising for various phases of the park. While it is separate from the town’s committee, their members do collaborate at meetings.

“I want to thank you all for being here and hope you will come by our booth to buy a brick or bench to support the construction of the park,” Nelms said.

Those items are also for sale on the Landis website and Facebook.

“Thank you to the family, elected officials and community partners for being a part of this special day,” Nelms said.