This week, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a 45-day comment period for the public to provide comments on development plans for Greensboro’s Guilford Courthouse National Military Park- America’s first federally protected Revolutionary War site.
The initial public comment period supporting the park’s preliminary Development Concept Plan (DCP) will be open May 17 to July 1 and includes opportunities to submit written comments and participate in public meetings. An informational newsletter is available for review and comment at the project website, https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GUCO_DCP.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity for the public to provide early input on the future of the park," said Superintendent Aaron LaRocca. “The National Park Service will develop this comprehensive DCP with community partners to guide the management of park facilities, newly acquired lands and any future development or rehabilitation in the park’s developed areas."
The acquisition of the Hoskins Farm site, where the British staged their attack on American forces at Guilford Courthouse, adds significant historic and cultural resources to NPS management and advances the park’s efforts to enhance interpretation and understanding. The DCP planning process will help NPS more seamlessly weave the farm site into the park experience, which currently includes a 2.25-mile self-guided automobile tour, monuments, interpretation elements and nearly 4 miles of foot trails. An accompanying Environmental Assessment will analyze all potential impacts in the plan, consistent with requirements outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The NPS will host two public meetings to discuss preliminary ideas about the park’s DCP, explain the planning process, review options for submitting public comment and answer participants’ questions. Presentations and formats will be identical for both public meetings, which will held on:
* May 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in-person at Lewis Community Recreation Center 3110 Forest Lawn Drive Greensboro, North Carolina 27455
* May 23 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. online. The link for the virtual meeting is posted on the project website.
During the meetings, NPS staff will explain the planning process, showcase methods for public comment and answer participants’ questions. Meeting presentations will be identical, and interested parties are encouraged to attend the time and format most convenient.
Written comments may be submitted any time during the 45-day public comment period by visiting https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GUCO_DCP, selecting “Open for Comment" on the left menu bar then “Development Concept Plan Preliminary Concepts Newsletter."
Comments may also be submitted by postal mail to:
National Park Service
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Attn: GUCO DCP / Superintendent Aaron LaRocca
2332 New Garden Road
Greensboro, North Carolina 27410
Written comments on the initial phase of the plan must be submitted online or postmarked by July 1 to be considered. Additional opportunities for commenting and public engagement will be offered throughout the project.
www.nps.gov
About Guilford Courthouse National Military Park: Established in 1917, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park was the first Revolutionary War site designated by the federal government. An important historic and community asset in Greensboro, North Carolina, the park includes a collection of sites with a rich history related to the largest, most hotly contested battle of the Revolutionary War’s climactic Southern Campaign. At the small North Carolina backcountry hamlet of Guilford Courthouse on Thursday, March 15, 1781, Major General Nathanael Greene and his army of almost 4,500 American militia and Continentals were tactically defeated by a smaller British army of about 1,900 veteran regulars and German allies commanded by General Lord Charles Cornwallis. Cornwallis paid for his dubious victory with nearly 27% of his army who were killed or wounded. Today, the park protects 250 acres of the approximately 1,000 acres of the actual battlefield.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service