Forsyth Firsts: Union Cross Park

Forsyth County Public Park History

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to serving all residents and visitors of Forsyth County through park development and recreational activities. The City of Winston-Salem independently operates 82 city parks, and the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department manages 10 developed parks. These 10 public parks are designed to be places where people of all ages can connect with nature, have fun and create lasting memories together. Forsyth County parks vary greatly in size and have been created over the years through three distinct pathways.

1. Community-county partnerships, often using grants and local donations

Joanie Moser Memorial Park (185 acres, est. 1979)
Walkertown Community Park (28 acres, est. 1985)
Triad Park (430 acres, est. 2015)
J. Dudley Watts, Jr. Belews Lake Park (216 acres, est. 2025)

2. Philanthropic efforts

Tanglewood Park (1,200 acres, est.1976)
C.G. Hill Memorial Park (73 acres, est.1985)

3. Adapting land previously used for other purposes (e.g. hydroelectric, water supply, working farm)

Old US 421 River Park (1.5 acres, est. 1983)
Kernersville Lake (160 acres, est. 1990)
Union Cross Park (15 acres, est. 1974)
Horizons Park (492 acres, est. 1977)

Union Cross Radar Station

Seventy-five years ago, in the southeastern part of Forsyth County, situated among tobacco fields, was a fully functional self-contained community – owned, staffed and operated by the United States Air Force. The Union Cross Radar Station was constructed in the 1950s as a surveillance facility. Its powerful radar could detect incoming threats approaching North Carolina’s coastline, yet it was far enough inland to not be a target. The station played an important role in the Cold War-era SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) air defense system. On December 1, 1956, the site officially began its operations. Six years later, the 810th Radar Squadron was assigned to the location and took control of the 24 Tower, which was equipped with the AN/FPS-24 Long Range Search Radar.

AN/FPS-24

The AN/FPS-24, a long-range early warning radar, originated in the escalating demands of Cold War aerial defense to address vulnerabilities identified in post-World War II studies. The AN indicates this was an Army/Navy system. The FPS identifies the type of radar: F – Fixed (ground based); P – Radar; S – Search; 24 – the 24th design in this specific series. There were 12 such radar stations across the country (AL, CA (two stations), ID, MI, MN, MT, PA, WA, OR, ME and NC) and these 84.5-foot, five-story concrete buildings were prominent landmarks, visible for miles. The radar dish on the AN/FPS-24 tower rested on a nine-foot-diameter roller bearing and weighed about 77.6 tons. The massive 120-foot-wide antenna rotated at a rate of five to six revolutions per minute depending on wind conditions. It was likely the largest radar antenna of its kind ever built.

Birth of Union Cross Park

The Winston Salem AFS and its squadron were shut down on July 31, 1970 as a result of budget cuts and system changes. Forsyth County petitioned the Department of the Interior to transfer ownership of the land so that it could be used for public recreation and, in April 1971, the county received ownership of the property. Because the site had fallen into disrepair after being abandoned, it underwent an immediate clean up and facelift. Structures that could not be used were removed, while salvageable facilities were repaired. On April 5, 1974, Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department opened its first public park. In the late 70s, the park underwent extensive development of new facilities with the help of funding from the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. The AN/FPS-24 radar tower (minus the radar antenna) still stands, along with a number of other original buildings that have been repurposed.

Present Day

Union Cross Park holds the distinction of being Forsyth County’s first developed public park. This 15-acre park is anchored by first-rate, lighted softball facilities. As Chris Weavil, director of the Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Department shared, “Growing up in the eastern part of the county and playing softball at Union Cross Park two to three nights a week (or more) for 20+ years was almost a rite of passage,” (forsyth.cc/parks/bio). Union Cross has other sports facilities too – tennis/pickleball courts, a sand volleyball court, basketball court, a walking/jogging path and horseshoe pits. A picnic shelter for family gatherings, along with restrooms and a playground round out the offerings, making this a welcoming venue for all ages to enjoy!

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Debbie Linville

Forsyth Magazines writer since 2016. Although Debbie has lived as far south as Florida, as far north as New York and as far west as Texas, she loves calling North Carolina (Winston Salem, in particular) home. Debbie married her high school sweetheart and they have two grown, married children. Their nest is far from empty – two adorable Havanese, Lola and Millie, keep them on their toes and fill their home with joy! Debbie recently retired from a long career in the educational arena. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus in literacy education. After 20 years in the elementary classroom, she spent the next two decades teaching and supporting pre- and in-service teachers. She still continues to promote educators in myriad ways, but is thoroughly enjoying the flexibility of a schedule she crafts to engage in activities of her choosing. She loves spending time with family and friends, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and Crisis Control Ministries, pursuing hobbies such as card making, quilting, and photography, cooking, reading, traveling (as often as possible!), and writing on a consistent basis for Forsyth Magazines!

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