Graham Approves Design Phase for Sesquicentennial Park Relocation

City Council votes 3-2 to move forward with plans to relocate the memorial park amid public concerns over visibility, history, and economic impact.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Graham City Council has voted 3-2 to advance plans for relocating Sesquicentennial Park from its longtime home at Court Square to West Elm Street. The decision comes after months of debate, with some council members citing liability and financial uncertainty as reasons for the relocation, while the mayor and local business owners have expressed concerns about the park's historical significance, visibility, and potential impact on downtown foot traffic and parking.

Why it matters

Sesquicentennial Park was built in 2001 to commemorate Alamance County's 150th anniversary of Graham becoming the county seat, and it has become an integral part of the city's downtown identity. The proposed relocation has sparked a heated debate within the community, with concerns about the park's historical ties, visibility, and economic impact on local businesses.

The details

The council's vote authorizes the city to hire a design firm to begin the process of relocating the memorial park, which was closed due to safety concerns after engineers discovered it was built over an unfilled basement. While there is no final construction timeline or cost estimate, the relocation would use parking spaces behind downtown businesses, potentially removing around two dozen parking spaces. Local business owners have expressed concerns about the impact on foot traffic and the character of the downtown area.

  • On February 17, 2026, the Graham City Council voted 3-2 to move forward with the design phase of relocating Sesquicentennial Park.
  • The park was built in 2001 to commemorate Alamance County's 150th anniversary of Graham becoming the county seat.
  • The park has been closed since engineers discovered it was built over an unfilled basement, causing safety concerns.

The players

Chelsea Dickey

The mayor of Graham, who has consistently voted against relocating the park and proposed using state grant funds to repair it in its current location.

Crystal Lawson

The owner of Lawson Powercade, a business located next to the park, who expressed concerns about the impact of the relocation on downtown foot traffic and parking.

Griffin McClure

The fourth-generation owner of Green & McClure Furniture, a business near Court Square, who questioned whether public feedback has influenced the council's decisions and said the park has become part of downtown's identity.

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What they’re saying

“I ran on keeping Sesquicentennial Park right where it is.”

— Chelsea Dickey, Mayor (wfmynews2.com)

“When that park was built 25 years ago, it was a big deal around here. I remember coming out, watching it go up. My daughter, who graduated in 2023, she had graduation pictures done there. So, it's very near and dear to our hearts because of that.”

— Crystal Lawson, Business owner (wfmynews2.com)

“Parks are put into cities by design elsewhere, yet we're trying to remove one. It doesn't make sense to me.”

— Griffin McClure, Business owner (wfmynews2.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.