Support Us Button Widget

Get ready to explore a new area of Forsyth County at Belews Lake Park

Visitors will be able to use the facilities once Phase One of construction is complete.

Green water against a backdrop of green trees with hints of orange leaves. There are clouds in a blue sky above.

Find a great view to connect with nature.

Photo via Forsyth County Government

You’ll soon have a new place to enjoy the outdoors. Phase One of construction at Belews Lake Park is expected to be complete early to mid-summer. It will be the first publicly owned park on the lake, which is in the northwestern corner of Forsyth County (~30 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem).

Exploring development

Forsyth County acquired 216 acres around Belews Lake from Duke Energy in 2021. The $640,000 purchase was made with a grant from NC’s Clean Water Management Trust.

Chris Weavil, the Director of Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, told City Editor Cambridge that Forsyth County will develop 70 to 75% of the property. The master plan was designed to follow protective restrictions.

“There’s a 300-ft protected buffer around the lake and then any of our intermittent streams, or femoral creeks that we’ve got through the property, there’s a 100-ft buffer on those,” Weavil said.

Natural fun

The property has nearly two miles of lake frontage. When it’s completed, the park will offer:

  • An ADA-accessible fishing pier
  • A shelter that can hold 150-200 people
  • Playgrounds
  • Restrooms and a comfort station
  • 1,200 linear feet of paved, ADA-accessible walking trail
  • 3,500 linear feet of a gravel nature trail along the shoreline
A map showing green outline of land for park. Phase One sections are in the top left and bottom of the property. Phase Two is circled in red toward the middle and future phases are in orange to the right along the shoreline. A legend is on the left.

Phase One are the turquoise-colored sections.

Rendering via Stimmel Associates and Stitch Design Shop

Work in progress

Phase One began in February 2023. Construction was slated to wrap up within a year, but supply chain issues and rainy weather caused delays. The roadways and 90% of the grading work are complete. Crews are waiting for electricity before drywall can be installed in buildings. Phase One cost a total of $7.6 million.

Visitors will be able to use the park while work continues on future phases. Forsyth County Commissioners are still in the process of allocating that funding.

The park is located off Belews Creek Road at 7455 Craig Rd. in Belews Creek. Once it’s open, visitors will be able to use amenities during daylight hours.

More from WStoday
Dig into Winston-Salem’s must-try pizza shops, including some that have gotten national attention and are loved by locals.
Give yourself a present this holiday season. These complimentary services are another reason to shop local.
Here’s how you can give back locally on the national day of giving.
Winter may be upon us, but that doesn’t stop from enjoying the outdoors.
Sponsored
As the Twin City continues to grow, we’re keeping an eye on upcoming developments and recently opened businesses.
Winston-Salem is made up of so many wonderful small businesses, here are a few our readers love in honor of Small Business Saturday.
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or looking for something the whole family can explore, these Winston-Salem museums have a little something for everyone.
We want to hear about what you think the most lively streets in the city are — from the businesses you can frequent to the night life.