The governing body of the City of Raleigh is authorized, at its own expense, to grade, to lay out in walks, to plant with trees, shrubbery, and flowers and otherwise to adorn Moore and Nash squares and to that end has the general charge and management of these squares. The governing body may manage and improve in like manner any of the vacant lots within the city limits which belong to the State and which are not otherwise appropriated, subject to the approval of the Governor and Council of State. The governing body may not prevent the free access of the public to such squares or lots during reasonable hours.

Whenever, in the opinion of the Secretary, the governing body is not properly keeping the squares or lots which it has taken in charge under this section, the Secretary shall call the matter to the attention of the governing body, and if the governing body then fails for a period of 60 days to begin to take proper care of the squares or lots, the Governor and Council of State may repossess them and proceed to manage and control them for the preservation of such property.

In the event that the use of these squares and lots is at any time needed by the State, the license of the City of Raleigh to control and manage them shall terminate six months after notice given by the Governor and Council of State to the governing body of the city, and possession shall be promptly surrendered to the State. (1957, c. 215, s. 2; 1971, c. 1097, s. 4; 1975, c. 879, s. 46.)