West Ward: Robert C. Clark

Convenient shopping, businesses, special places...and to many, many people...home.

The essence of the West Ward can be summarized in two words: homes and neighborhoods. From the prestige of the older addresses in Buena Vista to the newer subdivisions such as Century Oaks that dot the western edge of the City, the West Ward is where many City residents lay their heads at night.

Council Member Robert Clark represents West Ward residents on the City Council.

History

The West Ward has been a popular bedroom community since Buena Vista began to be developed in the 1920s. With the completion of Silas Creek Parkway came the Sherwood Forest neighborhood, and later, New Sherwood Forest on the west side of Peace Haven Road.

For many West Ward residents, home means a townhome or cluster home. There are both small and large complexes in West Ward. For others, home is an apartment such as Brierleigh Park or Savannah Place.

Commercial Areas

Several commercial areas have developed in the ward to serve its many residents. This one is on Robin Hood Road just past Silas Creek Parkway and includes a branch of the YMCA. Commercial expansion around Country Club and Peace Haven Roads is also the result of steady residential growth.

Services & Recreational Facilities

As the West Ward has grown, the City has responded with services and recreational facilities. The South Fork Park complex, on Country Club Road serves residents with a very busy recreation center offering a variety of dance and craft classes. The Park tennis courts are busy almost every day and evening.

Next door, the Recreation and Parks Department operates The Cricket's Nest, a retail store where senior citizens can sell their crafts to the community. And the Winston-Salem Southbound Model railroad club building houses a fabulous train layout with over 1,000 feet of track.

Parks

Hathaway Park off Country Club Road is a mostly natural setting with picnic tables, tennis courts and ball fields.

The tennis courts, soccer fields and greenway trail at Schaffner Park are also maintained by the City Recreation and Parks Department.

Golf

One of the City's newest recreation facilities is the Muddy Creek Greenway off Meadowlark Road.

Across Silas Creek Parkway is the City's first Par Course. It seems as if someone is using this facility every daylight hour all year round for a serious workout or just a leisurely stroll.

Silas Creek

Speaking of Silas Creek, it meanders diagonally through the West Ward. Its original name was Spangenberg Creek, named for the Moravian Bishop who led the first settlers here in 1752. Later maps changed the name to Spankinback creek and by 1832 it's listed as Silas Creek.

Fire Stations

Fire Station 18 - named in honor of longtime city Alderman Robert S Northington Jr. - houses both a pumper and a ladder truck and is near the intersection of Peace Haven and Polo Roads.

Education

Many young people begin their education in West Ward at Jefferson, Sherwood Forest, and Whittaker Elementary schools. Meadowlark Elementary and Middle Schools serve families living on the western edge of the City.

The Summit School, a private education facility, recently completed an ambitious building program.

Art

Nearby is the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, operated by the state Department of Cultural Resources. It was originally the home of industrialist James Hanes. Today, its expanded galleries host an ever-changing array of contemporary works.

Graylyn

Graylyn was originally the home of the president and chairman of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Bowman Gray; its stone walls and slate roof resemble a British Manor House. The 87-acre estate on Reynolda Road features the 60-room Main House, living quarters for the Gray family after its completion in 1936....the Mews, a Normandy-style farm complex, and both outdoor and indoor swimming pools.

The Gray family donated the estate to Wake Forest University, which now operates it as the Graylyn International Conference Center. There are 98 guest rooms and 15 unique conference rooms. Part of the original estate has been residentially developed with exclusive townhomes.

On the northeast corner of the property is the Children's Center. This facility, operated by the School System and partially funded by the United Way, serves physically handicapped and other health impaired children...helping them to become productive citizens within the limits of their abilities.

Meetings

City Council Meetings

• 7 p.m.
• 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month (except holidays)
• City Hall
  101 N Main Street
  Room 230
  Winston-Salem, NC 27101

City Council Committee Meetings

• 2nd Monday and Tuesday of every month
• City Hall
  101 N Main Street
  Room 239
  Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Representative Council Member

Robert C. Clark, Republican, West Ward

Community Assistance Liaison 

Kemona McCarter

Community Assistance Liaison, West and Northwest Wards
Email Kemona McCarter
Phone: 336-734-1265
Alternative Phone: 336-462-2389

Additional Information

A Community Assistance Liaison is assigned to each ward and is available to help citizens solve problems and get answers. Read more about the Community Assistance Liaisons.