HIGH POINT, N.C. -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday marked the official opening of a new nature preserve and urban orchard.
The six-acre green space was bought by Guilford County from the Thomas Built Bus Company in 2011. Once an empty lot, it is now home to about 250 newly-planted fruit and nut trees and shrubs.
"We didn't want to have this property to be looked at as a black eye to this community. We always wanted it to go well and be a proud thing this community will take ownership of,” said Matt Wallace, passive parks supervisor with the county.
The opening has been about a year in the making. Last fall, community members worked to overhaul the space by planting and cleaning.
Now, the preserve and orchard are expected to serve as a recreational space, a wildlife habitat, and a classroom. Oak Hill Elementary school is across the street, and Wallace said students will learn about agriculture and ecology at the preserve.
“You've got essentially a preserve that's set up to give back to the community for long-term value, specifically education,” he said.
Desteny Alvarez, a 10-year-old who lives just a few doors down from the space, said she felt good seeing the orchard’s plants and beauty.
"I'll come a lot, mostly with my friends,” she said. "I think everybody is going to be happy and they're going to like it here."
The space is located at 1601 Potts Avenue.