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WILSON (AP) — The creation of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park has been years in the making with Simpson deciding, in 2010, to allow 29 whirligigs to be eventually moved from his Lucama pasture to downtown Wilson where they will be placed within the 2-acre park along Goldsboro Street and bordered by South and Douglas streets.

Artists, architects and people from different walks of life took part in designing the future Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park this month at the downtown repair and conservation headquarters.

It coincided with Simpson's 93rd birthday.

Close to 100 people took part in the process, which involved breaking down into 11 teams of six to eight people who produced a park design that will be considered when a final plan is developed.

The event was the second in the design, which has included public participation, and taken into consideration a variety of features — an amphitheater, rain garden, walkways and a shaded area for a farmer's market — that would be included in the park along with Simpson's whirligigs.

"The whirligig park is an important endeavor in our community," said Rodger Lentz, city of Wilson planning director. "It isn't just another park. This is the start of an effort to revitalize this area of our downtown and greater center city. This park is something unique to our city."

Before the groups started their work, Mitchell Silver, the planning director for the city of Raleigh, offered some guidance on creating a place that not only defines Wilson but also creates memories. Silver said that the park's design should take into consideration the interests and needs of several generations, the future and what Silver called the "anatomy and soul of a place."

"It's really about the culture, social, physical and even the spiritual identity of Wilson," Silver said. "When you design a park, you aren't just designing a park, but an experience. Part of what you have to do for this park is create memories. Yes, you want to be authentic. Yes, you want to be unique, but you want to create memories."

The 11 groups each developed their own design for the park and its elements, all which will be considered when a final plan is developed during the next several weeks. The final design will need to support some of the goals of the park, which include the promotion of economic development in the area, an expression of Wilson, support new and existing festivals, interest a wider audience and create a green oasis.

Mark Gordon, a group facilitator and an art professor at Barton College, saw a lot of potential in his group's design of the park. He was also happy to see the strong public showing at the event.

"I was very pleasantly surprised by the turnout, enthusiasm and energy," Gordon said. "This is a way to see the space with fresh eyes and incorporate community input. There's a sense of play in moving the pieces and we're imagining people being in the space and adapting. It's welcoming and friendly. I just wish the park were bigger and someday it will be."

The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park project is being spearheaded by Wilson Downtown Properties in partnership with the city of Wilson, Wilson Downtown Development Corp. and the N.C. Arts Council.

Since the announcement less than two years ago, the park has received national exposure. Simpson has received worldwide acclaim and the project is supported by close to $1 million in grants and donations so far.

The park has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, which awarded a $250,000 Our Town Grant, and the new ArtPlace arts initiative, which gave $500,000, and a $150,000 grant from the Wilson County Tourism Development Authority.

The park's estimated cost of $3 million will be paid for through grants, donations, corporate support, major gifts and some in-kind city of Wilson services.

The park's anticipated opening is in 2013 and expected to be a tourist draw and economic boost to the area, officials have said.

"For me, it touches me emotionally because I think this is going to be our ticket to fame and we're going to have people lured here because of this incredible, artistic folk art," said Gaynell Stallings, owner of a downtown business, Park Place Consignments, who participated in designing the park Tuesday night.

"I want my input into this project," she said. "I believe I can bring a lot to the table because of my creative abilities and because I'm a visionary."

Leaders from each of the 11 groups presented their park design that included many of the feature elements, with some additions, including such things as a whirligig jungle, a play area for children and even a zipline.

The different designs will be sent to landscape architects Lappas and Havener of Durham to evaluate and develop into one plan that will be presented to the public next month. The plan will be unveiled on Feb. 7, at 6:15 p.m., in the Vollis Simpson Repair and Conservation Headquarters, on Barnes Street, in downtown Wilson.