Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park

The village of Highlands in Macon County, North Carolina, was founded in 1875 by Samuel Kelsey and Clinton C. Hutchinson, two developers living in Kansas. They created a health and summer resort at more than 4,000 feet on the highest crest of the western North Carolina plateau in the Southern Appalachia.  Legend has it that the two drew a line from Chicago to Savannah and another from New Orleans to New York, and the intersection of those two was the spot they chose to build Highlands.

 A sub-committee was formed in 2006 to design and purchase the site that would eventually become the town park.  Local landscape architect Hank Ross of Highlands donated his time and designed the park.  In 2009, the town installed a significant storm-water runoff project underground within the park property. This project, funded by Federal stimulus money, was designed to capture surface waters on the east side of town and improve water quality in nearby streams. The project was considered the best green project in the state’s stimulus program. During this period, a brick sidewalk across Pine Street was constructed to connect the park to Fourth Street and the amphitheater. Grass-pave parking spaces were added to create a better park environment.  

In the fall of 2013, town residents Nick Bazan, Skip Taylor, and Hank Ross formed a new citizen committee for the purpose of completing the park. In December 2013, Founders Park Coalition began an aggressive fundraising effort to complete the park, and a final park design was approved by the town. Phase one began in October 2014 and in August 2015, expanded for additional space and facilities. All construction was completed in April 2017. Today, the 1.4-acre Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park is the town center and is the ‘go-to place’ for day-use recreation and public events in Highlands. 

Over the life of the project, funds were raised from various individuals and organizations (both public and private), including major donations from the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Rotary Club of Highlands, Mountaintop Rotary Club, the Town of Highlands, Macon County, and some key individuals. Contributions from organizations and individuals are represented on the donor board located at the corner of Pine Street and Fifth Street. Friends of Founders Park continues to provide funds for park protection and maintenance. Donations are still accepted and used to beautify our popular downtown park.