To spot Carolyn & Maurice LeBauer Park, look for the giant letters spelling “LEBAUER PARK” on the ground in front of a wide lawn, and if you look up, you’ll see a colorful, net-like sculpture floating high above the park.
Now, you’re standing at one of Greensboro’s liveliest outdoor treasures-LeBauer Park! Imagine a place that sprang up from a dream and a $10 million bequest, where gardens bloom, laughter echoes from the playground, and even dogs have their own little corner to sniff out new friends. Back in 1920, Joe LeBauer brought his silk hosiery business to town, planting the roots for a family that would become local legends. Fast forward, Dr. Maurice LeBauer became a surgical force at Moses Cone, but it was Carolyn who had the ultimate green thumb-she insisted on a park packed with gardens right here in the center of it all. When Carolyn passed away, her generous gift sparked a movement; city leaders, planners, and more than a few dreamers all worked together to transform a spot once home to a YMCA and Festival Park into a modern delight opening in 2016.
But wait, don’t just gaze at the grass-tilt your head back! That mesmerizing, floating net is “Where We Met,” the largest outdoor art installation in the Southeast, crafted from a superhero material stronger than steel-no capes required. Its bright, twisting colors nod to Greensboro’s look as a textile powerhouse and, specifically, its denim-making days. Designed by Janet Echelman, the sculpture stretches an astonishing 200 by 130 feet, fluttering above gatherings, concerts, and the occasional squirrel parade. With 242,800 knots tying it all together (who counted those?), this park is both a relaxing oasis and an artful monument to Greensboro’s knack for weaving old dreams into new adventures. Soak it in-you’re experiencing the best of Greensboro’s creativity, generosity, and quirky spirit, all in one vibrant spot!
