September 15 Talk of the Town to focus on proposed Children’s Discovery and Play Garden

SPENCER – The Town of Spencer is inviting residents to help create a new destination for families during a community design workshop for the proposed Children’s Discovery and Play Garden at Spencer Town Park. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, September 15, at 6:15 p.m. in the F&M Bank Pavilion in Town Park (470 S. Salisbury Avenue). The interactive session will gather public input and ideas that will help shape the future design of the garden, which is planned for the area near the Carlton Fountain.

The workshop will be facilitated by Colleen McDaniel, president of The Inspired Garden, Inc., a North Carolina landscape design firm specializing in children’s natural learning environments. McDaniel has designed and constructed innovative outdoor play and learning spaces throughout the region, including projects in Salisbury, Charlotte, and Rock Hill that encourage exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning through nature.

The workshop is being offered as part of Spencer’s Talk of the Town initiative, an ongoing series that brings community members, Town staff, and elected officials together for collaborative conversations. Through these informal sessions, residents can learn, ask questions, share ideas, and help shape projects before final decisions are made. The Children’s Discovery and Play Garden workshop continues that tradition by inviting the public to help envision a unique outdoor space designed specifically for children and families.

The Children’s Discovery and Play Garden is being funded through a donation from Dr. Tommy Carlton and a grant from the Robertson Family Foundation, with a project budget of $20,000. The garden is an additional site enhancement, following the Carlton Family’s initial support of the park’s popular water feature. Town leaders envision the garden as an interactive outdoor environment where children can discover, explore, and connect with nature through creative play. Learn more about the ongoing capital campaign for Spencer Town Park and how you can get involved at spencernc.gov/makeyourmark.