Fact Sheet: Friends of Dorothea Dix Park

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One of North Carolina’s irreplaceable Pre-Civil War historic landmarks and environmental treasures sits atop a hill on 335 acres overlooking North Carolina’s capital city.  Its future is being threatened.  The Dorothea Dix Campus, established in 1848, is a designated National Historic Registered District.  The total property at its height was over 1,800 acres.  Now, less than twenty percent of the property remains intact.  Less than 100 acres of undesignated open space remains.

The hospital will be moved soon.  It is possible that the remaining parcel may be sold by the State. Its status as a Historic District will not save it from developers eager to cash in on its beautiful vistas, stands of mature trees, and rolling hills in the heart of the city.  DDCPC maintains that its highest and best use is as a park memorializing what previous generations of North Carolinians gave in establishing an “asylum” to meet a distressing public need.

Our Vision 

The remaining Dorothea Dix property is one of North Carolina’s pre-Civil War historical treasures with significant vistas and natural habitats.  As a public asset the remaining property should be permanently preserved for all North Carolinians now and in the future. The Coalition is dedicated to preserving the existing pastoral setting within the context of responsible urban growth. The Dorothea Dix campus property must remain a jewel of green in the heart of Raleigh.

Join Our Effort 

Become a visionary.  Let Dorothea Dix once again inspire North Carolinians to demonstrate a far-sighted vision by creating a state capital park.

Member Organizations

Capital Area Preservation

Conservation Trust for NC

Dix Community Partnership

Friends of Lake Johnson

League of Women Voters NC

People for Parks

Preservation North Carolina, NC

The Raleigh Heritage Trail

Sierra Club Capital Group

Triangle Land Conservancy

Triangle Greenways Council

Raleigh Garden Club

Triangle Growth Strategies

Trust for Public Lands

Wake Historical Society

Wake County Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee

Triangle Adult Soccer League NC Public Interest Research Group

Students for Lake Raleigh Hardwoods

Wake Audubon Society

Partners for Environmental Justice

NC Herpetological Society

Raleigh Heritage Trail

Relevant Facts

In the last 12 years Wake County has lost one out three trees. (Environmental Defense)

Open space was the top priority on the Raleigh citizen survey, above transportation needs. (Raleigh website)

A development can be built anywhere, there’s only one downtown capital park possibility for North Carolina

Atlanta reclaimed 21 acres of downtown for Centennial Park paying $65 million plus obtaining several land donations and in-kind services from the community. A suburb of Seattle reclaimed 20 acre for $14.4 million in 1988. Twelve million tourists visit the St Louis 1,293 acres central urban park (one of 105 city parks). Surely North Carolina leaders don’t want their legacy to be letting this opportunity slip through their hands while other cities are buying downtown urban property for parks.

According to the Raleigh Planning Department, Raleigh’s population is growing at a rate of 10% every four years.  (Raleigh website)

Dorothea Dix property is close to several neighborhoods designated for redevelopment. (Raleigh website)

The property has facilities to allow a multi-use plan, which could include a downtown park, state offices, and mental health facilities. The State has invested $27 million since 1992 to renovate 23 buildings. NC leases 2 million square feet of office space in Raleigh. Landlords make a profit and must pay taxes, all things being equal the State can reduce its office budget by using existing state-owned buildings for office space.

An interstate interchange costs about $50 million, one estimate of the value of the property.

Economic Benefits of Public Parks 

Great cities have great public parks, which have real and measurable economic benefits. For example, parks can contribute significantly to the land values in a city. In New York, the real estate values around Bryant Park, Central Park, Prospect Park and Riverside Park are the highest in the city.  The close proximity of a park would enhance the quality of life in South Raleigh.  In addition to providing a destination in the soul of the city for cultural activities and recreational pursuits, entrepreneurial activities such as markets, fairs and festivals could thrive in the park.

History 

It was an interesting twist of fate that James C. Dobbin (1814 – 1857) an influential member of the legislature from Cumberland County ensured the passage of the bill establishing a state asylum.  By chance, Dorothea Dix stayed at the Mansion House Hotel while lobbying to establish the hospital, and while there, she compassionately nursed a critically ill woman also staying at the hotel.  Unknown to Dorothea, the sick woman was Dobbin’s wife.  Mrs. Dobbin, just before her death had asked her husband to support the “asylum” bill.  Dorothea traveled to Fayetteville to attend her friend’s funeral.  Hearing of the defeat of the measure to raise money for the asylum, Dobbin hurried back to Raleigh to make a stirring plea for reconsideration of the bill.  The bill, upon reconsideration, received final passage on December 30, 1848 and the facility was later named in honor of Dorothea Dix.

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