Mecklenburg County Ezell Farms Community Park
DATE
Commissioned February 2021
Installation Anticipated Fall 2023/Spring 2024
DESCRIPTION
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation plans to develop a community park on a previously privately-owned 90.6-acre farm in Mint Hill, designed to serve residents within a 15-minute drive of the park. The property is bordered to the north by NC Highway 51 (Matthews-Mint Hill Rd), to the east by Mintwood Drive, to the west by Well Road, and to the south by private residences. Approximately sixty percent of the site is open pastureland with rolling terrain, and the remainder is comprised of two ponds and forested areas. The property lies within the Goose Creek watershed which is critical habitat for the Carolina heelslplitter. The site also lies within the Mint Hill Post-Construction Storm Water Ordinance District. In addition, the site is home to many plant species as well as a canopy of various mature oaks in the forested areas of the property.
Ezell Farms Community Park’s historic farm theme boasting agrarian and nature-based activities will include active and passive amenities. The park will be developed in two phases. Phase I amenities will include a splash pad, tennis courts, full court for basketball, community garden with some improvements, informal amphitheater (no structure or stage), open field play area (meadow), open architecture pavilion structure, nature play area, restroom/pool house, multi-use path along Highway 51, walking trails and ponds, and public art. The Phase II amenities are TBD.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Meredith Connelly, based in Cornelius, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work is inspired by science, nature, and technology. Her works have been exhibited at art museums within the Southeast and are housed in various private and corporate collections. Her public projects include the “I Heart Rail Trail” in Charlotte’s South End and “Lights,” an illuminated walking trail commissioned by the U.S. National Whitewater Center in 2019.
A Public Art Community Engagement Workshop was held on January 20, 2022. Connelly provided an overview of her experience and past projects and listened to residents about their connection to Mint Hill and the public art site to identify themes and ideas to inspire her artwork. (Video below.)
SELECTION PANEL
Connelly was selected from the ASC Prequalified Regional Artist Directory, which serves as an internal resource to identify North and South Carolina artists capable of creating public art for City, County, and private projects that may or may not be associated with capital improvement program projects. The directory is used to select artists for projects with 1% project budgets of $100,000 or less and does not replace the RFQ process for Public Art opportunities with budgets over $100,000. The Public Art Commission (PAC) utilizes this prequalified directory to match artists with opportunities commensurate with skills and experience necessary for the specific project scope.
FUNDING PARTNER
This project is funded through the Mecklenburg County’s 1% for the Arts Ordinance. ASC administers the public art program for the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Artist Selection and designs are approved by the appointed Public Art Commission.