Goldsboro, N.C. — A deeply meaningful project in downtown Goldsboro has received statewide recognition for its innovative approach to public-private collaboration. Aly’s Memorial Garden, a tribute to the life and legacy of 11-year-old Aly Craft, was honored with the North Carolina Main Street Award of Merit for Best Public-Private Partnership, one of only ten awards presented across the state this year.
The award, presented by the North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center, celebrates partnerships that exemplify asset-based economic development strategies, leading to measurable impacts in local communities such as business growth, job creation, and investment.
Led by the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, the creation of Aly’s Memorial Garden brought together families, businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers in a project that honors both memory and mission. Named in tribute to Aly Craft, whose passion for nature, poetry, and dance continues to inspire the community, the garden has become a cornerstone of downtown Goldsboro’s identity as a culturally vibrant and environmentally conscious hub.
Located near the Paramount Theatre, Aly’s Garden is a designated site on North Carolina’s Butterfly Highway—a statewide conservation initiative focused on planting native species to support pollinators such as butterflies and bees. This green space not only enhances urban biodiversity but also demonstrates the power of thoughtful design in uniting the arts, environmental awareness, and community spirit.
The project was a true community effort. An annual budget of $5,000 was used to kickstart the garden, but thanks to over 200 hours of volunteer labor and generous in-kind donations from businesses and organizations—including American Meadows, Baker Creek, Princeton High School FFA, Casey Garden Center, Delco, and AccuCopy—the estimated total value of contributions reached over $32,000. The volunteer time alone accounted for more than $6,000 in labor savings.
The award recognizes the collective efforts of the Craft and Wail families, Brian Daniels for landscape design, Gateway Church, and the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, whose collaboration made the project possible.
The North Carolina Main Street and Rural Planning Center commended the garden as a shining example of place-making that not only beautifies the city but reinforces its economic and cultural vitality.
As North Carolina continues to highlight the power of Main Street communities to drive local success, Aly’s Memorial Garden stands as a testament to the impact of shared vision and dedication.
