Pearson Park crosswalk celebration set for May 28

Downtown Kinston Revitalization will host a Pearson Park Crosswalk Celebration at 4 p.m. May 28 to mark the official opening of a new public art crosswalk near Loch Neuse Dragon Park.

The celebration will take place at the intersection of Mitchell Street and North Street, across from the park. The event will include art activities, a ceremonial march across the new glow-in-the-dark dragon footprints and a dragon-themed storytime led by the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library.

“Please join us for the official opening of Kinston's latest addition to our public art collection, weather permitting,” said Leon Steele, Downtown Kinston Revitalization director. “This was a collaboration of non-profits making our town more attractive and safer; Downtown Kinston Revitalization and the Smart Kinston Artists program. Bring your children for the dragon story reading afterwards in the park.”

The crosswalk mural adds a public art feature to the area around Pearson Park and Loch Neuse Dragon Park, where dragon-themed artwork and downtown pedestrian activity are already part of the park’s identity.

The project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.