Remembering Larry Stogner at Sandy Creek Park
By: Annette Smith, Grants and Special Projects Analyst, Sr
For the past four years, the Durham Parks Foundation has worked to develop a memorial project in honor of the late Larry Stogner at Sandy Creek Park.
Larry Stogner was a well-known, and much beloved, news anchor for ABC-11 television station. In early 2015 Larry announced his retirement as a journalist with a very honest and frank discussion of his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The clip of this announcement became a "viral" sensation on social media. Larry was a daily visitor to Sandy Creek Park. Six days a week Larry and his dogs, Beauty and Beast, visited the park for their morning exercise. Larry lost his battle with ALS in October 2016.
With funding from the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission and generous support from Larry’s friends and family a History Grove has been completed at the entrance to the park. This area was designed with native trees and plants that will extend the park’s reputation as a haven for birds and butterflies. Other park improvements include the installation of two Beaver Pond Levelers to preserve the trail and accommodate wildlife and an accessible walkway from the parking lot to the highest point in the park.
This multifaceted project could not have been completed without generous support. A dedication will take place at a later date with Larry’s family and friends.
An urban environmental treasure. Sandy Creek Park, located at the end of Sandy Creek Drive off of Pickett Road, has been called the “Gem of our City Parks.” This park was created with federal funding to restore the wetlands of Sandy Creek after the City demolished a water treatment facility located on the land. Over the last few years, volunteers have repaired the bridge over Sandy Creek; added a wetlands boardwalk trail, planted hundreds of trees, shrubs, grasses, and native plants; built a wildlife observation deck; fenced in the grassy areas of the park; and added maps and educational signs around the park. All this has been funded by grants to the Durham Parks Foundation, Durham Parks and Recreation, and Keep Durham Beautiful. Sandy Creek Park has received the following certifications:
For the past four years, the Durham Parks Foundation has worked to develop a memorial project in honor of the late Larry Stogner at Sandy Creek Park.
With funding from the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission and generous support from Larry’s friends and family a History Grove has been completed at the entrance to the park. This area was designed with native trees and plants that will extend the park’s reputation as a haven for birds and butterflies. Other park improvements include the installation of two Beaver Pond Levelers to preserve the trail and accommodate wildlife and an accessible walkway from the parking lot to the highest point in the park.
An urban environmental treasure. Sandy Creek Park, located at the end of Sandy Creek Drive off of Pickett Road, has been called the “Gem of our City Parks.” This park was created with federal funding to restore the wetlands of Sandy Creek after the City demolished a water treatment facility located on the land. Over the last few years, volunteers have repaired the bridge over Sandy Creek; added a wetlands boardwalk trail, planted hundreds of trees, shrubs, grasses, and native plants; built a wildlife observation deck; fenced in the grassy areas of the park; and added maps and educational signs around the park. All this has been funded by grants to the Durham Parks Foundation, Durham Parks and Recreation, and Keep Durham Beautiful. Sandy Creek Park has received the following certifications:
- Monarch Waystation
- NC Native Plant Habitat
- NWF Wildlife Habitat
- Audubon Bird Friendly Habitat
- NC Wildlife Federation Butterfly Highway Habitat
- Home of the Durham Monarch Festival
- eBird Hotspot
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