Adventure in “Creative Infrastructure” to Start in Early 2024  

(RALEIGH, NC) – Nov. 6, 2023 – A pair of ordinary power poles that have long stood over the rolling hills of Dix Park will soon transform into enormous sunflowers. 

The innovative foray into ‘creative infrastructure’ comes courtesy of a collaboration between Dix Park Conservancy, Duke Energy and Raleigh-based artist Thomas Sayre. 

The two existing poles stand on the east side of Dix Park on Lake Wheeler Road, prominent against the Raleigh skyline as one travels into downtown. Starting in Fall 2024, engineers from Duke Energy will dismantle and replace them with the steel sunflowers that Sayre is now creating with Duke Energy engineers and fabricators.

The new poles are currently projected to be installed and placed into service by November 2024. They will frame the future entrance to the park’s expansive Gipson Play Plaza. 

Private donations will fund the cost of the poles. The work will not impact Duke Energy customer bills. 

The two new sunflower towers will rise to a height of 73 feet. Perched atop each will be a steel ring, signifying the capitulum – or head – of the flower. Power lines will run through the center of these capitulum rings.

Each capitulum will include 48 steel petals, ranging in size from eight to ten feet. Each steel petal will include a pattern of perforations representing the mathematical expression of the electromagnetic waves crackling through the powerlines.

“This inspired project exemplifies both the creativity we aspire to foster at Dix Park and the spirit of community and collaboration that makes the park possible,” says Janet Cowell, CEO of Dix Park Conservancy (DPC), which is recruiting private donors to fund the endeavor. 

Inspiration

The seed of the project originated with a Raleigh citizen, Doug Johnston, who recognized that the existing power poles could be more than just standard utilitarian structures. He shared the notion with staff at DPC.   

Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors to Dix Park marvel at its acres of majestic sunflowers. This signature attraction provided a natural jumping off point for the budding creative infrastructure project. 

Seizing the initiative, DPC board member Tom Gipson met with retired Duke Energy executive Jeff Corbett, who was also enthusiastic. Corbett then helped to convene a meeting of Duke Energy engineers, who, Gipson says, “were wonderfully open to the idea. Duke Energy’s creativity and expertise has been the essential piece of putting all this together.” 

Adds Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy President - North Carolina: “We always strive to engage the communities we serve in meaningful ways. This park plays an important role in a vibrant and growing downtown area. It’s exciting when we can support Raleigh’s growth and collaborate with creative minds in our community to create a distinct and special space for everyone to enjoy. ”  

Duke Energy engineers soon completed a successful feasibility study. Meantime, Gipson not only began raising private donations to pay for the project, but brought it to acclaimed artist Thomas Sayre.    

A co-founder of the Raleigh architecture firm Clearscapes, Sayre earned international renown for Gyre, his 20 ft high earth cast ellipses at the NC Museum of Art.

“The challenge of making something magical from the kind of infrastructure we all see and take for granted every day instantly intrigued me,” says Sayre.  

Logistics

 

Sayre began working closely with both the Conservancy and a team of Duke Energy engineers. Their goal was to develop an approach that would support the creative requirements of the project without compromising reliability of service for this growing area of downtown Raleigh. The structures also needed to remain accessible to crews that might need to perform maintenance or upgrades to the line. 

Since this design is unique on the Duke Energy system, and the structure will be in an area of public traffic, safety was also a top priority in the planning process. Care will also be taken to schedule project activities in close coordination with construction of the Gipson Play Plaza in 2024 and traffic along Lake Wheeler Road to minimize impacts to the public. 

Funding

DPC’s mission includes raising funds for projects that support the development of an engaging, world-class park welcoming to all. This includes raising all funds for the sunflower towers, which will join Gipson Play Plaza, the restored Stone Houses and other attractions coming online over the next few years. 

The projected cost of the towers is $2,500,000, and DPC has already raised a significant portion of that amount. People and organizations interested in supporting the towers and/or other projects should contact Rob Maddrey, vice president of development, at rob@dixparkconservancy.org. 

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About Dix Park Conservancy

The City of Raleigh owns and operates Dorothea Dix Park. Dix Park Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to support the City in its efforts, serve as its philanthropic and community engagement partner, and ensure the creation and long-term success of Dorothea Dix Park as a place for everyone – a transformative public space for community, health, and celebration that will enrich our quality of life in North Carolina.