Clay Supports Preservation of Raleigh Park

According to the Carolina Newswire, Clay has signed a petition showing his support for the preservation of open space in Raleigh and the development of a "world-class destination park". The petition was started by the Friends of Dorothea Dix Park, who is trying to preserve 306 acres in Raleigh.

Clay's comments about this were:

“I am so excited about the opportunity that we have to protect such an amazing amount of open space right here in the Triangle. It's an opportunity that won't likely ever come again. It is an opportunity that the over developed cities and towns around the country can only wish they still had, and that we are blessed with,” said Aiken.

He also said that the park would contribute to the quality of life in Raleigh, and he is encouraging others to also sign the petition. The Friends of Dorothea Dix Park are excited to have Clay as a supporter, and of course, rightly so. Its not surprising to me, however, that Clay would take such a positive interest in the town he calls home and loves so much.

If you would like to sign the petition go to the Dorothea Dix Park website.

Update 3/30: The Raleigh News & Observer has also posted an article about this:

Count American Idol’s Clay Aiken among supporters of turning the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus into a park.

Friends of Dorothea Dix Park — a group pushing for the creation of an urban park on the 306-acre Dix grounds near downtown — touted Aiken’s support in a news release today. Aiken has signed a petition for the group.

“I am so excited about the opportunity that we have to protect such an amazing amount of open space right here in the Triangle,” the news release quoted Aiken as saying. “It's an opportunity that won't likely ever come again. It is an opportunity that the overdeveloped cities and towns around the country can only wish they still had, and that we are blessed with.”