Forest Hills is a residential neighborhood located in the northwest quadrant of the City of Hickory. Roughly bounded by 12th Avenue NW, Old Lenoir Road NW, 16th Avenue NW, and Horseford Creek, the Forest Hills Neighborhood was developed to alleviate the housing shortage following World War II. Funded in part by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and developed by the Hickory Housing Commission, Forest Hills was platted in 1946 and expanded in 1948.
Today, the residential neighborhood offers modest-size traditional frame dwellings and larger ranch and split-level houses with convenient access to City amenities. The area is considered a good neighborhood to live and raise a family. Forest Hills has not been encroached upon by modern development and infill.
Forest Hills is home to three City parks - Jaycee Park, Miracle of Hickory Park, and Hickory City Park. Jaycee Park, located at 1250 15th Avenue NW, features a lighted baseball field, batting cage, restrooms, and a concession stand. Miracle of Hickory Park, located at 1515 12th Street Drive NW, is the current home of Hickory Music Factory and the former site of Hickory’s historic polio hospital. The park also features an outdoor basketball court, playground, and a memorial garden with an obelisk commemorating the 1944 "Miracle of Hickory." Hickory City Park, located at 1581 12th Street Drive NW, features eight lighted tennis courts, a multi-purpose facility with an indoor meeting room, an outdoor covered shelter, and restrooms, as well as access to a paved bikeway and the Lake Hickory Trails, a system of mountain biking and nature trails.
Forest Hills Neighborhood Association
The Forest Hills Neighborhood Association reorganized in 2010 and continues to maintain an active status. The Association generally meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the activity building at Rotary-Geitner Park. Please check the City Calendar and agenda materials below for upcoming meetings.
Contact Information:
Neighborhood Leader: Gwen Belk
Planning and Development Division