Deidra Lackey Memorial Park moves forward in Hickory

HICKORY, NC (October 15, 2019) — Plans for the Deidra Lackey Memorial Park move forward, following Hickory City Council’s approval of the project concept and authorization of the upset bid process during the October 15 City Council meeting.

“Tonight’s action is the next step toward building the Deidra Lackey Memorial Park,” said Hickory Mayor Hank Guess. “There has been a lot of work and effort put into this project and partnership.”

In 2013, Hickory resident Robert Lackey, Sr. approached the City with the idea to create a waterfront park to memorialize his late wife, Deidra Lackey, who loved gardens and being outdoors. Since then, the City and the Robert Lackey family have been working towards bringing the idea to fruition.

The Lackey Park project entails improving 18.9 acres of City-owned property at Rotary-Geitner Park to feature a Conservatory, memorial gardens and trails, a Lake House for public and private events, an outdoor amphitheater, and an event dock on Lake Hickory. The renovated park will be at one end of the City’s future Riverwalk.

The City of Hickory and Lackey Park, L.L.C., a company created by Robert W. Lackey, Sr. and Robert W. Lackey, Jr., want to enter into a public-private partnership to plan, develop, construct, manage, and operate the waterfront memorial park.

During the City Council meeting, Assistant City Manager/CFO Rodney Miller and Deputy City Attorney Arnita Dula presented information about the project and its necessary agreements. The project is outlined in four agreements: Park Operating Agreement, Grant Agreement, Ground Lease Agreement, and Burial Site Agreement.

The Lackey family will invest over $6 million in the project, making this memorial gift to the City of Hickory and the community the single largest donation in the City’s history.

For more information about the Deidra Lackey Memorial Park, visit www.CraftingHickory.com.