Submitted By: Michelle Gray, Committee Chair
Details: Since the 2024 year-end project review, significant progress has been made toward the Phase I goals for the D.C. & Frances Linn Community Park. Marketing efforts have expanded through updates to the park's page on the Town website, increased social media outreach, and the creation of promotional materials, including park signage, event displays, and branded merchandise. The committee also continues to work toward developing visual storytelling to highlight the Linn family legacy and the park's long-term vision.
A major milestone was the groundbreaking ceremony held on May 2, 2025, which brought together Town officials, committee members, community partners, and members of the Linn family to celebrate the beginning of the project.
Site preparation has continued with the removal of trees by Public Works. Following Board approval, stump excavation has been selected as the preferred method of site clearing and is scheduled for the new fiscal year. Progress has also been made on permitting for the park's historic buildings, while civil engineering plans necessary for grading, utilities, stormwater improvements, and building relocation are expected to move forward once RSBA finalizes its engineering contract.
The Board of Aldermen approved the committee's recommended restroom design in February 2026, providing accessible, individual-use facilities for all visitors. Entrance paving and parking improvements have also been included in the Linn Memorial Passive Park Fund's current grant application.
Additional accomplishments include approval of the park's fence and lighting designs, completion of a combined property survey, development of a memorial bench sponsorship program, introduction of park merchandise and memorial brick sales as fundraising initiatives, and the establishment of a partnership with South Rowan High School's masonry program to construct park entrance signage and potentially the Veterans Memorial area.
These accomplishments have established a strong foundation for continued progress as the project moves into the next phase of development.
Submitted By: Michelle Gray, Committee Chair
Details: Since the last project review, the Linn Memorial Passive Park Fund has made significant progress toward establishing and operating as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. During this period, Ryan Nelms was established as the organization's Director, Summer Faw and Ashley Walsh joined the Board of Directors, and Kyle Robinson was appointed Treasurer. The organization also opened a dedicated bank account, secured a post office box, and finalized the necessary incorporation documents, including filing the required IRS Form 990.
In addition to these organizational accomplishments, the Linn Memorial Passive Park Fund has successfully begun raising funds to support future park improvements. The organization presented to the YMCA Service Club and secured a four-year commitment of $1,250 annually to sponsor a park bench. Memorial bricks have continued to be marketed and sold through the organization's Facebook page and the Town of Landis website, generating approximately $2,000. to date. The organization also partnered with the Town of Landis to purchase and resell retired street signs as a fundraising initiative, with potential revenue totaling approximately $2,020. raised to date. Most recently, the nonprofit applied for its first grant through Enbridge to help fund the construction of walking pathways, furthering the vision of creating a more accessible and walkable community park. Collectively, these accomplishments represent meaningful progress toward the organization's long-term goal of developing Linn Memorial Passive Park into a lasting community asset.
Submitted By: Michelle Gray, Committee Chair
Details: Since the committee's first community event in October 2024, several new fundraising initiatives have been established to support the development of the D.C. & Frances Linn Community Park. The Community Legacy Brick Campaign continues to be successful, with 92 memorial and veteran bricks sold, generating approximately $8,900 to date. Memorial bench sponsorships remain available at $5,000 each, with 1 bench sold, raising approximately $5,000. The Town's 125th Anniversary merchandise sales have also provided additional financial support through the Board's decision to donate all proceeds to the park project, contributing approximately $2,408. In addition, the committee developed branded D.C. & Frances Linn Community Park merchandise to create an ongoing source of revenue, generating approximately $16,308 to date. Merchandise is available for purchase at Town events, Town Hall, and park facilities.
The committee remains committed to supporting Town and Linn Memorial Passive Park Fund events while continuing to expand community partnerships and fundraising opportunities. Priorities for the coming year include securing the civil engineering plans needed to advance Phase I construction, pursuing additional grant, municipal, and business sponsorship opportunities, developing a visual marketing campaign with the Town of Landis, increasing the park's presence at community events, working with RSBA on the historic depot renovation, and continuing the partnership with South Rowan High School to construct the park's brick entrance sign.