Investigators determine Frank Liske Park barn fire was intentionally set
Posted April 10, 2020
Investigators with the Cabarrus County Fire Marshal’s Office determined a March 26 fire that destroyed the barn at Frank Liske Park (4001 Stough Road, Concord) was intentionally set. The fire resulted in a total loss of the structure and its contents.
Concord Fire Department responded to the call at 1:06 a.m. Crews from Cabarrus County’s Squad 410, Harrisburg Fire Department, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office and Cabarrus County EMS assisted with the response.
How to submit tips
As the investigation continues, the Cabarrus County Fire Marshal’s Office asks that anyone with information contact the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office at 704-920-3000, or if you wish to remain anonymous, Cabarrus Area Crime Stoppers at www.cabarruscrimestoppers.com or call 704-93CRIME.
County moves forward with feasibility study
The land on which the park sits is the Stonewall Jackson property, owned by the State and on lease to Cabarrus County. In the mid-1900s, it served as a working farm for Stonewall Jackson Training School students. The original barn was used to house and care for dairy cattle.
Frank Liske Park opened in June 1982 with the barn as its centerpiece. It was used for youth camps, rentals and the backdrop to countless family memories.
The park was closed to visitors on March 26 and 27 as crews assessed damage and mitigated safety hazards.
In the days following the fire, park visitors from across the country connected with Cabarrus County on social media, phone and email. They shared their memories of the facility, appreciation for park staff and support for rebuilding the structure.
The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners received an update on the fire at its April 6 meeting and advised staff to move forward with a feasibility study on rebuilding the structure. The Board is also working to restructure the terms of its lease from the State.
Memories pour in for 'iconic' Frank Liske Park barn
Posted April 2, 2020
Some of the most memorable times in Jack Rule's life happened in and around the barn at Frank Liske Park. He grew up vising the park. His wedding reception was held there. And for the past decade, he's tended to the place as a park ranger for Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks.
"It's hard to really put into words what it means to me," Rule said.
And after the barn burned last week, he now he knows how much it meant to so many others.
"After this happened, I've had a lot of people call me at home and reflect on their experiences out here," he said. They remembered the anniversary parties. The weddings. The family reunions. "It's just an iconic landmark of this park. So many people, the first thing they wanted to see at the park was that barn. It's a treasured landmark."
That was evident by the hundreds of comments on the Facebook account of the fire.
" ... a lot of memories of that barn and the lake not far from it. I hope they will rebuild a part of history of Cabarrus County that we (those of us over 50) can still remember," said David Moretz.
"My husband and I were married in the upper section of the barn. I can't believe this happened," said Jillian Goodwin.
"I was a baby the first time I was there. I grew playing there and fishing below the barn," said Sherry Simpson.
Cabarrus County Commissioners will hear an update on on the barn at the April 6 work session, scheduled for 4 p.m.
The fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office at 704-920-3000.
Structure fire at Frank Liske Park
Posted March 26, 2020
At 1:06 a.m., Concord Fire Department responded to a fire at Frank Liske Park (4001 Stough Road) in Concord. The park’s centerpiece, a barn building with towering silo, caught fire.
The park is closed until further notice.
The land on which the park sits is the Stonewall Jackson property, owned by the State and on lease to Cabarrus County.
In the mid-1900s, it served as a working farm for Stonewall Jackson Training School students. The original barn was used to house and care for dairy cattle.
Cabarrus County Active Living & Parks Director Londa Strong was with Cabarrus County when it transformed the property into a park. She remembers watching crews turn the old barn into a functioning facility, built around the dairy barn’s original beams and iconic silo.
Frank Liske Park opened in June 1982 with the barn as its centerpiece. It was used for youth camps, rentals and the backdrop to countless family memories.
“The barn is a Cabarrus County treasure,” said Strong. “Our crews took pride in the facility and it showed. Generations used the barn for family reunions, picnics and weddings. Hundreds of thousands of people have memories connected to the facility. We are proud that our work means so much to our community.”
Cabarrus County appreciates the agencies and individuals who responded to the event.
“We want to thank Concord Fire Department, the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s and Fire Marshal’s offices, Cabarrus County EMS, Harrisburg Fire Department, Cabarrus County’s Active Living & Parks and Infrastructure & Asset Management departments, and all the other agencies that responded,” Strong said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.