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CLAY AIKEN SUPPORTS A ‘CENTRAL PARK’ FOR NORTH CAROLINA

Singer Backs Efforts in Raleigh to Establish a World-Class Destination Park

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 29, 2007) – American Idol finalist and national singing sensation, Clay Aiken, announces his support of preserving open space in Raleigh, N.C. and developing a world-class destination park. Aiken has signed a petition for the Friends of Dorothea Dix Park, a non-profit group that’s working to preserve 306 acres in the heart of North Carolina’s capital city for a destination park.

“I am so excited about the opportunity that we have to protect such an amazing amount of open space right here in the Triangle. It's an opportunity that won't likely ever come again. It is an opportunity that the over developed cities and towns around the country can only wish they still had, and that we are blessed with,” said Aiken.

“We are thrilled to have the support of such a huge local and national celebrity as we work for a destination park and to do the right thing for our children, our economic stability and our quality of life,” said Jay Spain, president of Friends of Dorothea Dix Park.

“This is a gift we can give for generations to come and will contribute to our quality of life immensely. I encourage everyone to join me and sign the petition to save Dix Park. It is the right thing to do for all of us who call Raleigh and North Carolina home,” Aiken said.

Friends of Dorothea Dix Park recently launched an online petition at www.DixPark.org.

The North Carolina General Assembly will ultimately decide the fate of 306 acres on the Dorothea Dix campus.

Friends of Dorothea Dix Park (FDDP), founded in 2004, is a 501(c)3 organization made up of thousands of individuals and more than 30 member organizations whose mission is to preserve the Dorothea Dix Campus as a world-class destination park.  FDDP is dedicated to educating people across North Carolina about the value of preserving the land as a destination park and why it is the right thing to do for our children, our economic stability and our overall quality of life.  For more information about FDDP, its people, plans and vision, please visit