Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

There’s a new park in Davie County, complete with walking and biking trails, a playground and adult exercise equipment.

And there’s more to come in The Park at Lake Louise in the Hickory Hill neighborhood east of Mocksville, all the brainchild of local residents Dr. Joel and Beth Edwards.

“We wanted a health park, where children could play, adults could play and with extended trails where people could walk or bike,” Dr. Edwards said.

Open to the public only recently, the park is already being used.

“Our whole vision was somewhere for families to exercise and have fun together,” she said. “I’ve always loved parks.”

The idea started when the now late Bill Burnett decided to sell the Hickory Hill golf club.

Edwards and his friend, Dr. David Duncan, had ideas. Duncan bought part of the land, Edwards bought the rest. Duncan opened Colin Creek Golf Club, a 12-hole course that has been met with enthusiasm by the community.

“Dr. Duncan and I thought the two could compliment each other,” Edwards said.

There is a children’s playground, accessible to the left after turning onto the Colin Creek drive. It includes equipment designed for children age 2-5, and other equipment for those age 5-12. There are three adult exercise machines so adults can exercise while watching their children play, Edwards said.

The trail system also starts there, and meanders down to the lake and back.

Future plans call for picnic shelters, a fishing platform and a gathering place for small concerts or productions. There is “The Great Meadow” where people can play ball or toss a Frisbee with their dog.

The park is open during daylight hours.

Edwards got help from the Davie Economic Development Commission, the Davie Community Foundation, the Davie County Hospital Foundation, Davie Recreation & Parks and Novant Davie Medical Associates.

Parks are becoming more important as more people move into the area, and people have less access to outdoor spaces, he said.

“As rural as we are, and as much as we’ve got, we’ve got a limited area for people to be outside doing healthy things like walking and playing,” Edwards said. “This property really is pretty, with rolling hills and the lake.”

The park is dedicated to Edwards’ late wife, Linda, “known for her love of children.”

A grand opening will be held in the spring.