At 3:30 pm, before the groundbreaking a "Plant Rescue" will be held in the area of the property to be disturbed by construction.

Fairview Park will feature active and low-impact recreational facilities, including basketball courts, a softball field, volleyball court, horseshoes, picnic shelter, walking track, playground and hiking trails. The facilities were selected based on a survey of community needs and on residents' participation in developing the master plan.

The park will be located near the Hillsborough police substation, which already is used for community meetings. Fairview Park will be an easy walk for many Fairview residents and within easy biking distance from downtown Hillsborough. It also will help implement the Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Master Plan that was adopted in 2007.

The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority awarded $500,000 from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for this project. The PARTF grant will be matched with county bond funds budgeted specifically for Fairview Park development. The estimated cost for completing Phase I construction is $1,213,500.

County and town commissioners have identified Fairview Park construction as a high priority. Phase I construction of the park is will begin later this month with completion projected for 2010.