Mt.
Airy Kiwanis Honors Former Member & Park Founder
by Bill Butts
Earlier this month, the Mt. Airy Kiwanis Club celebrated
the vision and leadership of one of its members, Wayne Norwood,
with a picnic and special dedication ceremony at Prospect
Park in Mount Airy. The occasion was the 30th anniversary
(1978 - 2008) of the opening of Prospect Park, the very first
of the town's parks and recreation areas. Included in the
dedication were the club's donation of two new, all-weather
benches (with more to follow) that the club is donating to
the park, as well as a commerative plaque honoring Norwood.
In the early 1970's, a few years after a two-year stint as
the club's President, Norwood was serving on Mt. Airy's Town
Council when he first conceived of the idea of the town setting
aside acreage and creating its first park for the benefit
and enjoyment of all of its citizens. The Mt. Airy Kiwanis
club quickly got on board and committed to establishing the
park as one of their club goals for 1974. Several years followed
during which Norwood persistently communicated, brought stakeholders
together and coordinated the project. County and local government
stepped forward with funding, and the Mt. Airy club members
provided the volunteer labor to clear the area, help lay
out the park and contribute and build picnic tables. Finally,
in July of 1978, the park was dedicated and opened to the
public.
Wayne's vision proved accurate and as the town and community
grew, so did the space and planning set aside to provide
additional park areas. Norwood was a member of the Mt. Airy
club for 36 years and served as its President on 3 different
occasions. Wayne Norwood is one of the Mt. Airy's best examples
of a Kiwanian truly making a difference and we are pleased
to honor his legacy with the Prospect Park dedication.
Pictured in the photo taken at the dedication event are (Left
to Right): Marion Taylor--Mt. Airy Kiwanis Club President;
Angie Moore--Club Treasurer, project coordinator for the
dedication event and daughter of Wayne Norwood; Frank Johnson--
Kiwnais member and current Mt. Airy Mayor; and Pat Norwood--
club member and widow of Norwood.
