Halyburton Park: Sanctuary in the City

It is hard to overestimate the charm of this pretty pine-forested preserve which, by-the-way, happens to be right in the middle of the city. The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP), along with Andy Wood, the Education Director of Audubon North Carolina, were able to convince Wilmington city-officials that the land purchased in 1991 was worth more to our community as a nature preserve than as the proposed athletic field complex. Halyburton Park was officially opened to the public in October 2004.

The forfeited athletic field project gave way to the preservation of two ephemeral ponds that are home to some of the area’s rarest and most significant plants, such as Pond Spice and West Indian Meadow Beauty. Also preserved were the long leaf pine trees, which are a relic of the pine Savannah that at one time dominated the eastern seaboard from New Jersey to Texas. The specific area where the park sits, known as the “Wilmington Sandhills”, is home to many birds and animals, including pygmy rattlesnakes who find sanctuary around the Cypress Pond and adjacent pine flatwoods. Halyburton Park also continues to be a favorite resting spot during migration for the neo-tropical migratory birds from Central and South America that are returning to their breeding grounds.

Not only does the park serve as a nature preserve, it is also a history preserve. During the Civil War, the Battle of the Forks Road was fought on the grounds of the park. Walking along the paved multi-use trail one can still find the remnants of earthworks created by soldiers during this locally famous battle. The earthworks don’t appear to be anything other than raised mounds of dirt. But when you consider that soldiers in 1865 built these during their final stand before the Union armies took over Wilmington and then huddled behind them, they take on a weighty new appearance. Civil war artifacts such as buttons from the uniforms of those soldiers are on display in the event center.

When you enter the event center itself, you will probably run into Andy Fairbanks, Halyburton Park’s manager. An UNCW graduate with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management, he uses his park management skills exquisitely. Because the park is relatively new — not even six years old — there are certain built-in challenges for Fairbanks, the main one being limited staff. As you can imagine it takes a huge amount of effort to keep a park running smoothly; Fairbanks says he couldn’t do it without the tremendous amount of help he receives from seemingly tireless volunteers. If Fairbanks had a fantasy budget to hire for the park, it would free him to concentrate on creating more environmental education programs, more local history talks, and even more outreach with area schools and the public in general.

When asked what about the park makes him most proud, Fairbanks smiles and answers without even thinking twice, “the fact that it gives people the opportunity to get out and explore”. He also says he is extremely proud of the park’s environmental education programs because they are a great way to help expand public awareness about local conservation and preservation. Upcoming programs include: Beginner’s Bird ID, Biodiversity of the Cape Fear Arch, and The Civil War and Halyburton Park. To get information on these and other programs, please visit www.halyburtonpark.com.

According to Andy Fairbanks, the five must see/do things in Halyburton Park are:

1. Visit the event center where one can come inside and learn about the park before heading out on their adventures.
   
2. Hike the trail behind the event center which leads out to the “Wilmington Sandhills”
3. See some Long Leaf Pines, which are one of the most endangered forest ecosystem in the United States.
4. Listen to or see the Brown-headed Nuthatch which is specific to the pine forests of southeastern states and is also on the Audubon Watch List due to declining populations. The sound this bird makes is similar to a toy rubber duck, and is often called the rubber duck in the tree.
5. Participate in one environmental educational programs

Halyburton Park has something for everyone. Whether you spend your time walking the paved, multi-use trail lined by large, beautiful shade-makers, hiking the serene natural trails that ring the center of the park, or watching your kids on the playground is up to you. Use the park because it is yours and because, as one of Wilmington’s great treasures, it shouldn’t be missed.