Get ready to get your play on this July with WakeMed and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
About Park and Recreation Month
Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. Created by NRPA, Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the vital and powerful role local parks and recreation, such as WakeMed, play in conservation, health and wellness, and social equity efforts in communities all across the country.
This year, it’s all about discovering the power of play with our local parks and recreation facilities. From learning a new sport to meeting your friends on the playground, Wake County parks and recreation facilities are the places where everyone can play, regardless of age or ability.
NRPA and WakeMed are encouraging everyone to get out there to experience the power of play for themselves.
Parks in Wake County, NC
Wake County is filled with great green spaces and recreation areas, complete with fun activities for people of all ages and abilities. Celebrate Park and Recreation month by visiting some of these amazing parks.
Town of Apex, NC
Features:
- Disc golf course
- Rodgers Family Skate Plaza (13,000 sq. ft.)
- 11 Miles of greenways
- Dog park(s)
Town of Cary, NC
Features:
- 31 park areas
- Cary’s 1st ever “sprayground” for kids, located at Jack Smith Park (free)
- 310+ acres of recreation space at Bond Park
Town of Fuquay-Varina, NC
Features:
- 21 parks & 300+ acres
- Environmental Education Park
- Centennial Square
- Splash Pad (free for residents, $2 fee non-residents)
Town of Garner, NC
Features:
- 350 acres of parkland
- 4 miles of paved trails
- 12 playgrounds
- 12 picnic shelters
- 14 athletic fields
- 6 tennis courts
- Boathouse on Lake Benson (seasonal)
- North Garner Dog Park
Town of Holly Springs, NC
Features:
- Greenways
- Playgrounds
- Athletic fields
- Fitness center
- Indoor & Outdoor performing arts theaters
- Cultural Center
- Boating/fishing
- Bass Lake Park
- North Main Athletic Complex (home of the Salamanders summer baseball team)
Town of Knightdale, NC
Features:
- Knightdale Station Park (playground, dog park, walking/running trails & athletic fields)
- Mingo Creek Park & Trail (3.5 miles of scenic wetlands & hardwood forests)
Town of Morrisville, NC
Features:
- Morrisville Aquatics Center
- Rentable shelters
- Athletic fields
- Tennis courts
- Walking trails
- Northwest Park (NEW!)
- Church Street Park (regulation-size cricket field)
City of Raleigh, NC
During the month of July we invite people to visit their Raleigh parks as part of the celebration,” said Diane Sauer, Director, Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. “Raleigh has 9,893 acres of park spaces to explore!”
Features:
- 200+ parks
- Amusements
- Art centers
- Community centers
- Lakes & nature preserves
- Off-leash dog parks
- 100+ tennis courts
- 9 swimming pools
- 100+ miles of paved greenways
- John Chavis Memorial Park (featuring a carousel, outdoor pool & splashground!)
- Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Park (featuring 150+ acres of land by Falls Lake)
Raleigh Parks Bucket List
The department created a “Raleigh Parks Bucket List” challenge that encourages people to get out into the parks and have fun while earning prizes. Patrons can simply stop by one of Raleigh’s facilities to pick up a bucket list to start playing.
Raleigh bucket list items include fun activities like touring the City of Raleigh Museum, racing horses with friends at the carousel at John Chavis Memorial Park and trying Stand Up Paddle Boarding.
Five completed items will get you ride tickets to use at the Pullen Park train, carousel or the John Chavis Memorial Park Carousel. Complete ten or more items and you will get a super cool Raleigh Parks Summer Bucket List T-shirt. To learn more about the bucket list challenge check out the information here.
For information about Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, visit parks.raleighnc.gov or follow them on social media @raleighparks.
Town of Rolesville, NC
Features:
- Greenways
- Baseball/softball fields
- Community center (holds up to 293 people standing or 133 people seated)
- Main Street Park (shelters, gazebo, playgrounds)
- Mill Bridge Nature Park (featuring a 200+ seat amphitheatre)
Future Plans for Expanded Parks & Rec Services
The Town of Rolesville has plans to purchase 116 acres to be used for the development of parks and recreational services. Rolesville parks and recreation leaders will begin planning for the site this fall. The town anticipates using the space for ball fields, open space, play areas and trails.
“It is a wonderful positive for the Town and most likely the biggest investment that the Town has even embarked on,” said Bryan Hicks, Town Manager for the Town of Rolesville.
Town of Wake Forest, NC
Wake Forest offers an ever-expanding system of parks and greenways that connects our community, while providing opportunities for healthy and fun recreation. We are committed to preserving our open spaces and encourage citizens of all ages to get out, be active and experience first-hand all that nature has to offer. – Wake Forest Mayor, Vivian Jones
Features:
- 8 miles of developed greenways & 50 miles of planned greenways
- Smith Creek Greenway (part of the 27.5 mile Neuse River Trail)
- East Caroll Joyner Park (featuring gardens, 3 miles of paved walking trails & 1,000-lawn-seat amphitheater)
Town of Wendell, NC
Features:
- Disc golf course
- Tennis courts
- Athletic Fields
- Playground
- Hugh T Moody Nature Trail (featuring 2 miles of trails)
Town of Zebulon, NC
Features:
- Little River Park (features a beautiful waterfall)
- Zebulon Community Park (featuring 47 acres – includes walking trails and disc golf, tennis & more)
Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month with WakeMed & the NRPA
Nationally, NRPA is celebrating Park and Recreation Month with a weekly contest encouraging people to show them why play is so important in their lives. We’d like to encourage you to share why you think play is so important with the hashtag #PlayOnJuly.
For more information about the contest and Park and Recreation Month in general, visit www.nrpa.org/July.
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