Kinston City Council voted June 3 to support a proposed redesign of All American City Park, a small but prominent green space at the intersection of Blount and North Queen streets, marking a new phase in the city’s downtown revitalization efforts.
The project, led by Downtown Kinston Revitalization (DKR), aims to transform the currently underutilized area into a welcoming gateway to Kinston’s historic commercial district. Leon Steele, executive director of DKR, said the redesign will mirror the Shirley Herring Memorial Gateway at North and Mitchell streets, another beautification project completed by the organization.
“We are in the process of raising private funds in order to expedite this project,” Steele said. “The timing is perfect—Kinston is a finalist for its third All-America City Award later this month, and 2026 will mark the 250th birthday of the United States.”
Kinston has previously earned the All-America City designation twice, in 1988 and 2009. The National Civic League will announce this year’s winners at its annual conference in Denver in late June.
The redesigned park will be rededicated as the Buddy and Mary Mac Ritch All American City Park in recognition of the couple’s longtime contributions to the Kinston community. Planned features include landscaping improvements, benches, lighting, a new internally lit sculpture, improved signage, and a “living fence” along the adjacent railroad tracks.
DKR is actively soliciting tax-deductible donations and sponsorships to help fund the project. Contributions of $90 or more qualify for a commemorative All American City license plate, while supplies last. Sponsorship opportunities include naming rights for trees ($600), memorial benches ($1,200), and larger park elements such as the sculpture or signage.
“The community response so far has been enthusiastic,” Steele said. “Our Design Committee is full of energy and ideas, and we believe this project will make a lasting impact on how residents and visitors experience downtown.”
For more information or to contribute, donations can be mailed to Downtown Kinston Revitalization at 327 N. Queen St., Suite 312, Kinston, NC 28501, with “AACPark” in the memo line. Steele can also be reached at leon@downtownkinston.com or (252) 525-6144.
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