Destination Dix offers glimpse of future for Raleigh park

Food, games and amusement rides were a part of the event meant to commemorate the past and celebrate the future.

“I like the idea of having a space where kids can come play and adults can come play and so that’s my favorite thing,” said Adam Dipert with Cirque de Vol Studios.

The extreme heat Saturday afternoon didn’t stop people from coming out to get a taste of what city leaders would like to see develop in the space over time.

“I’ve been imagining what it would be like to have an event like this in October or April or something like that and what it’s going to be like when this place is more fully developed. It’s going to be incredible,” said Raleigh resident Scott Bass.

The event marks the anniversary of when Raleigh purchased the Dorothea Dix property, which used to be the home of a state psychiatric hospital and still houses departments from the state Department of Health and Human Services.

Tents were set up to keep people cool alongside a Ferris wheel, good food and live music. The event was also an opportunity for people to give their input on future plans for the park.

“I think it would be an awesome idea to bring something positive into an area that was once thought to be so negative,” said Raleigh resident Deon Reddick. “I think it’s awesome to bring something like this as a welcoming for something greater to come in the future.”