Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Winston-Salem public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in parks rec
Choice Neighborhood Public Art Residency
City-funded art is progressing at the 6th-Cherry-Trade parking deck, through the Open Call 2025 artist selection (Kelsey Merreck Wagner), and at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Boston-Thurmond.
Art Crush 10-Year Anniversary Event (November 20)
The commission is planning its November 20th Art Crush event marking ten years of public art in Winston-Salem. It's a chance for residents to engage with the city's public art program.
Choice Neighborhood Residency Artist Selection
A cluster of art projects — a pavilion and courts at Rupert Bell Park, a Brunson Elementary sculpture, a Brown School Lofts shade structure, a resident artist program, and murals at the Dream Center and Sunrise Towers — are moving forward in the Choice Neighborhoods area.
Love Your Block Grant for Reynolds Town
The city accepted $270,000 for resident-led cleanup, beautification, and public art projects in historic Reynoldstown; Council Member Burke questioned why the city added selection criteria beyond Bloomberg's and asked for a public list of active neighborhood associations.
Expanded Recreation Center Hours and Teen Programming
Four rec centers — Carl Russell, D.B. Sims, M.O.K., and Rupert Bell — get extended Friday and Saturday hours starting this week, with about $70,000 from existing budget and rotating Teen Zone programming citywide in January.
Expanded Recreation Center Hours for Youth and Teens
Select recreation centers would stay open longer with more programming aimed at young people — more safe options after school and on weekends.
Newell-Massey Greenway Repairs
A $584,559.55 contract to repair the Newell-Massey Greenway — a win for walkers, runners, and cyclists who use the trail.
Community Roots Day Planning
The Trees and Woodlands committee is planning for Community Roots Day, scheduled for February 2027. This initiative engages the community in tree planting and urban forest awareness.
Downtown DIY Skate Park Lease
Community advocates and the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership pitched a new multi-use outdoor recreation space featuring a skate plaza, pump track, and playground between 7th and 8th Streets on Marshall Street. The committee enthusiastically endorsed moving forward with lease negotiations.
Long Creek Park Expansion
The city is accepting a 9.27-acre land donation from the Conservation Fund to expand Long Creek Park as passive parkland.
Salem Creek Greenway Low Water Bridge Improvements
The city is studying design alternatives to resolve chronic flooding issues along the Salem Creek Greenway by redesigning a low-water crossing to improve usability and reduce maintenance costs.
Greenway Expansion and Funding Backlogs
The city is moving forward with 75% design plans for the Piedmont Greenway and upcoming plans for the Brushy Fork Greenway, aiming to connect major regional trails by 2027-2028.
City Parks Code of Conduct
The city established a formal code of conduct for public parks to improve safety and manage behavioral issues. This clarifies rules for park visitors and staff.