Programs

The Hickory Kiwanis Club is partnering with the City of Hickory to launch a fundraising campaign to install a new hillside slide at Kiwanis Park.

The Club aims to raise $52,000 towards the purchase and installation of the slide in honor and memory of former Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright. It was Mayor Wright's vision that helped bring the Zahra Baker All Children's Playground at Kiwanis Park to life. The new slide will include on-site signage recognizing Wright's lasting contribution to the community.

The park’s large orange slide, one of its most beloved features, has worn down from years of enthusiastic use and is now due for replacement. In 2025, more than 60,000 people visited the park, underscoring the demand for durable, inclusive play equipment.

“We are very excited to be working with the City again on the Zahra Baker slide project,” said Hickory Kiwanis Club President Terry Creasman. “With God’s help, we will do our best to raise the money in six months.”

Fundraising has already begun with an anonymous $5,000 donation.

Community members wishing to support the project can mail contributions to:

City of Hickory
Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department
1451 8th Street Drive NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Checks should be made payable to the City of Hickory with “Zahra Baker Slide Project” noted in the memo line.

For more information, please contact Mack McLeod with the Hickory Kiwanis Club at mackmcleod59@gmail.com or 828-358-7714.

To donate an amount other than the options here, please call the Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism office at828-322-7046.