Hagan-Stone Park

Hagan-Stone Park is a 409-acre public park in Guilford County near Greensboro, North Carolina, established in 1965 and operated by Guilford County Parks and Recreation. The park serves as a regional venue for outdoor recreation, community events, and equestrian activities, drawing visitors from Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, and other Piedmont Triad communities. It is situated within the broader landscape of the Piedmont region and is proximate to institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

History

The park land was acquired in the 1960s amid regional growth associated with the post-World War II expansion of Greensboro, North Carolina, the rise of International Harvester and other industrial employers, and suburban development tied to Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 29. Early planning involved local civic leaders, county commissioners, and county parks advocates who coordinated with Guilford County agencies and nearby municipal governments such as High Point, North Carolina and Burlington, North Carolina. During the 1970s and 1980s the park hosted county fair–style events and equestrian shows influenced by regional agricultural organizations including the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and local 4-H clubs. Conservation and recreation planning for the park reflected trends championed by national organizations such as the National Recreation and Park Association and federal programs tied to the U.S. Forest Service and state parks initiatives.

Facilities and Recreation

Facilities at the park include multiple athletic fields, an equestrian complex, hiking trails, picnic shelters, camping areas, and a lake used for fishing and boating. Athletic programming connects to regional sports networks and youth clubs affiliated with entities like Little League Baseball, Pop Warner Little Scholars, and local soccer associations that coordinate with facilities at universities including Elon University and Wake Forest University. The equestrian complex supports activities sanctioned by organizations such as the United States Equestrian Federation and regional horse councils, while camping infrastructure aligns with standards promoted by the Boy Scouts of America and outdoor groups that also use nearby state resources like Carolina Beach State Park and Crowders Mountain State Park for extended outings. The park’s picnic shelters and amphitheater serve community groups, civic organizations, and performing arts ensembles linked to venues such as the Greensboro Cultural Center and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

Events and Programs

Hagan-Stone Park hosts a seasonal calendar that includes equestrian competitions, community festivals, holiday celebrations, and youth sports tournaments. Notable event organizers and partners have included county fairs, regional horse associations, and nonprofit groups modeled on organizations such as the North Carolina Museum of Art outreach programs and the American Red Cross for community preparedness gatherings. The park has accommodated charitable events organized by chapters of national nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and local branches of United Way, as well as cultural festivals featuring performers connected to institutions such as the Greensboro Symphony and touring acts that perform at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Educational programs have been offered in partnership with land stewardship organizations and academic institutions like North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill extension services.

Ecology and Environment

Set within the Piedmont (United States) physiographic region, the park contains mixed hardwood forests, open fields, and riparian zones supporting species common to Guilford County and the North Carolina Piedmont. Vegetation includes oaks and hickories similar to stands found in regional preserves managed by the Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society chapters active in North Carolina. Wildlife observations align with species documented by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, including white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrels, and a variety of migrant and resident songbirds recorded by local chapters of the National Audubon Society. Water quality and habitat management efforts mirror programs advocated by state agencies such as the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and federal conservation frameworks like the Clean Water Act partnerships that inform stormwater and watershed management in the region. Volunteer stewardship and citizen science projects have been organized with educational partners including Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District and university extension programs.

Management and Administration

The park is managed by Guilford County Parks and Recreation in coordination with county commissioners, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, and regional planning entities such as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Greensboro metro area. Operational responsibilities include facility maintenance, event permitting, and coordination with public safety agencies like the Guilford County Sheriff and municipal police departments. Funding and capital improvements have historically combined county budgets, grants from state agencies including the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and federal grant sources such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund, along with partnerships with local nonprofit friends groups modeled after national examples like the National Park Foundation. Administrative planning follows policies set by county ordinances and engages stakeholders including neighborhood associations, school districts such as Guilford County Schools, and regional tourism partners such as the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Category:Parks in Guilford County, North Carolina