City gets digging in long-awaited garden

SEAGROVE — After years of waiting, construction is under way on the David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden. It lands on a historic milestone. According to the records found by former Asheboro Mayor David Jarrell, it’s exactly 200 years since former North Carolina Governor Jonathan Worth first bought that land.

Watching the dirt move and the concrete set across nearly three acres is a big moment for Jarrell. “To see this progress being made now is a great feeling, to know it’s on the move,” he said.

J&K General Contractor is clearing the land and laying sidewalks between South Cox Street and Main Street. Assistant City Manager Trevor Nuttall said the next step people will see this summer is the installation of boardwalks and fencing.

For many years, the property was known as “the Farm of Asheboro” and later the “Lawn of Asheboro.” The preservation and educational opportunities are vital to the vision of Jarrell and his late wife Pauline.

“I think it’s going to be a great asset for the city,” Jarrell said. “I think it’s going to go beyond just local. I think it’s going to draw visitors to come. It’s walkable to the library, to Lindley Park School, to churches uptown. It’s just a great site to preserve.”

On May 29, Jarrell viewed the progress with other community members.

“I think it’s going to be the one true bucolic site in Asheboro,” said Dr. Frances Jones, former president of the Friends of the Library. “Peaceful, serene, where to just come and refresh yourself.”

Unearthing local history

When the Jarrells purchased the land, they did not yet know the full scope of its history. They spoke with a developer interested in building senior housing. But as they did further research, Jarrell said they were relieved that plan did not move forward.

Former Mayor David Smith also felt there were better ways it could serve the city than housing. “It felt that really wasn’t appropriate, and it was worth saving,” he said. “It could be Asheboro’s Central Park, so to speak, since it was downtown and had historic prominence.”

The land is not far from the Worths’ old home, which was destroyed in a fire in 1886. When Worth sold the farm, it was roughly 10 acres.

“The ad [Worth] ran when he wanted to sell it was an eye-opener about the history of that property,” Smith said. “It had the granary, and how many bushels of wheat it could hold, and the barn, and so many head of cattle. And there were slave quarters, servant quarters, he described in the ad. Two rooms with a fireplace, this and that.”

Its relevance to Asheboro history continued after Worth’s death. Members of the McCrary family had houses in that area. Jarrell said it became a place of recreation. “I think it was Frank McCrary that built a Par 3 golf hole right back through there,” he said. “ A lot of people I talked to said they remember this being a community play area.”

All that research became useful, according to Nan Revell, when she and her husband John were brought onboard early to gin up interest and potential donors. “A big part of how we sold fundraising was, we want to save this historical property,” she said. “We wanted to create a quiet space that people could come right from downtown and just be quiet and appreciate the beauty.”

Putting money behind project

When the Jarrells chose to designate the land for a city arboretum, park or a garden space, they asked only to be reimbursed for what they had paid. Smith said he immediately thought of the Revells. John, a former president of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, was about to retire. He and Jan, along with Jones, reached out to individuals and organizations.

“We organized a committee that had people who just loved gardening, people who just loved Asheboro and cared about the future of Asheboro,” Nan said. “We organized for [Smith] to present to the civic clubs and garden clubs.” 

Ross Holt, director of the Randolph County Public Library system, helped them give historical presentations. They reached out to state leaders. “[Sen.] Dave Craven was another key element,” John said. “Making phone calls, getting what we could get from Raleigh.”

The city was awarded a grant made up of leftover dollars from the COVID-19 era to commence construction this spring. J&K was awarded the project in February with a bid of $955,281.

Nuttall said anyone who wants to make a gift to the garden can contact him. The city is exploring all manner of donations, sponsorships and naming opportunities.

Path to construction

Included in the master plan are three garden zones and a pergola on the east side for hosting events. Signs throughout the site will relay its history and plant information.

Once the city got the land, it took a while to start building. “We had to wait on McCrary Park. That got in front of us. We had to wait for the Zoo [City Sportsplex],” John said. “Those are good projects, too, and those had commitments to time that had to be done. 

“You have to be understanding that government can’t do everything at one time, and we just wanted to make sure we didn’t fall off the list. That was the key.”

Smith said he fought hard to keep the garden project on everyone’s radar, as the city council focused on projects like the Trade Street revitalization, McCrary Ballpark and the Sportsplex. One of the fights he lost in 2023 was preserving the brick house on South Cox Street. After learning about the costs of masonry repairs, waterproofing and lead abatement, the Redevelopment Commission ultimately recommended demolishing it and building something new.

“The house had some character,” he said. “I had hoped we could keep it and retrofit the house, so it could be ADA accessible and be appropriate for an interpretive center.”

Nuttall said a new visitor’s center would be part of Phase 3.

Old land finds a new purpose

The fundraising team shares in the former mayors’ excitement about keeping the land open to downtown Asheboro. 

Jones said the location will be great for students. “We have lots of day schools,” she said. “Well over 150 children at Central Methodist Church. They can spend time here learning but also relaxing and enjoying the beauty.”

Smith concurred, saying, “They can do a field trip and come to the welcome center and learn about native plants or learn about the history of the site, about wetlands, and preservation of greenspace.”

Jarrell extended his gratitude to the city for working on his family’s dream. His wife Pauline passed away in 2023, two months after the groundbreaking ceremony. This project continues the legacy of a woman who loved flowers all her life and helped form the Westside Garden Club.

“I was honored when the city designated to the David and Pauline Jarrell City Garden,” Jarrell said. “That’s another name that’s going to last for 200 more years.”