By Sarina Dellinger
For the Salisbury Post

Spring has begun blossoming all around Salisbury, especially at Hurley Park. The season beckons for leisurely strolls, family picnics, and capturing memories amidst the blooming beauty. Join us in celebrating the arrival of spring at the Spring Celebration on Sunday, April 14, from 2-4 p.m. There will be fun for people of all ages. The Salisbury Swing Band will fill the air with music while the Soap Bubble Circus does the same, but with bubbles. Carriage rides, magician shows and family friendly vendors will be at the park.

The next few weeks will be the best time to visit for the azalea blooms. The native azaleas, along the Annandale hillside gardens and the Riley Wildflower garden, are blooming in full force. The Louise & Archie Bracey Azalea Garden is budding up nicely. Across the park the redbuds, buckeyes and other spring flowering shrubs are looking spectacular. The yellow flowers of Carolina jessamine and white flowers of the cherry laurel are making quite the visual and aromatic statement down by the pond deck.

Looking closer to the ground, creeping phlox is in its prime right now. Swaths of white and purple can be found in many gardens across the park. Continuing with that theme, specks of white and purple are dotted throughout the grass and gardens thanks to the various viola species. These are native violas that come back every year. They’re host to many pollinators both for nectar and caterpillar during the larval stages.

As we continue to march into spring we encourage folks to come visit Hurley Park. We have two picnic areas available and plenty of grass to spread a picnic blanket. Ample trash cans are located around the park for doggie bags and lunch remnants. For those taking photos at the park, please remember to keep your feet out of the garden beds and take any decorations with you. Glitter, chalk powder and confetti are fun to pop in surprise or celebration; however, it is ultimately litter. It also creates hazards for wildlife and a lot of maintenance time to clean up. We look forward to welcoming you to the Hurley Park soon.

In the meantime, follow our Facebook or Instagram @HurleyParkNC for updates about the park. If you have any additional questions, please give us a call at 704-638-5298.

Sarina Dellinger is public garden supervisor for Salisbury Parks and Recreation.