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Parks, playgrounds and trails
There's no better and cheaper way to wear the kids out than a trip to the park. Here is a listing of all the parks in the Triangle area, along with some parks you shouldn't miss.
Wake County | Orange County | Durham County | Johnston County | State Parks | Major Trails | Gardens
Raleigh
Raleigh has everything from lakes and swing sets to carousels. Here are listings for playgrounds and swimming pools in Raleigh.
The city also has several lakes that offer children's programs and outdoor activities:
* Lake Johnson is located at 4601 Avent Ferry Road.
* Lake Wheeler, at 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, is an 800-acre park that provide opportunities for fishing, boating, water-skiing, sailing and canoeing.
* Shelley Lake is located at 1400 West Millbrook Road. The area has 2 miles of paved trails around the lake, perfect for biking, walking and skating. There is a large playground near the Sertoma Arts Center, where children can take art classes.
Don't Miss: Pullen Park, a destination playground with a carousel, train ride and kiddie boats. There also are picnic shelters, a community center, playground, aquatic center and more. And check out the city's other carousel at Chavis Park,505 MLK Jr. Blvd., in southeast Raleigh.
Durant Nature Park in North Raleigh offers 237 acres to explore and play, including lakes and trails. If you're lucky, you'll see deer as your kids play on the playground.
To see a listing of all the parks and facilities that the city has to offer, click here.
For more details, call Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department at (919) 890-3285.
Several Wake County parks have playgrounds and great natural areas for playing. Get a complete listing of parks in all areas of Wake County here.
Don't Miss: Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd., Raleigh, the only remaining grist mill in Wake County. The park also includes 174 acres and plenty of opportunities to explore nature.
For more information about Wake County parks, call (919) 856-2667.
Cary
See a list of the parks and greenways in Cary, along with Web sites for each individual park. Click here for a list of parks, sorted by type of facility.
Don't Miss: Marla Dorrel Park, 111 Thurston Dr., is a big park and playground with picnic shelters and a basketball court. Worth a drive.
For more information, call the Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department at (919) 469-4061.
Apex
To see a complete listing of the parks in Apex, click here. To download a list of parks, greenways and facilities and compare their features, click here.
Don't Miss: Kidstowne Park, at Kelly Road Park which was built by the community on 25 acres of land in 2000. It offers swings,slides, tunnels and other things to climb on. Worth the drive.
For more information about Apex's parks department, call (919) 249-3402.
Fuquay-Varina
Download a map and list of parks which details their amenities.
Don't Miss: Fuquay Mineral Spring Park, 105 W. Spring St., is a small, natural park with a footbridge, restored spring house and the natural spring around which the Fuquay Springs community developed. A nice place for a quiet picnic and some nature exploration.
For more information, call Fuquay-Varina's parks department at (919) 552-1430.
Garner
Visit the Garner Parks & Recreation home page for more information and for a link to download a brochure of events and programs.
Don't Miss: Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Rd., in Garner, a spacious park with awalking trail and picnic shelter and the site of many town-wide specialevents. In warm weather, fishing and boat rentals are available.
For more information about Garner's parks department, call (919) 772-4688.
Holly SpringsThe town of Holly Springs has several parks with a variety of amenities and programs.
Don't Miss: Bass Lake Park and Retreat Center, 900 Bass Lake Rd., offers special events, boat rentals and nature programs.
For more information, contact Holly Springs parks at (919) 557-3930.
Morrisville
Click here for a listing of the parks in Morrisville, along with the amenities available at each one.
Don't Miss: The Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center, 1301 Morrisville Pkwy., has a year-round swimming pool and baby/wading pool, among other amenities.
For more information, call Morrisville's parks department at (919) 463-7110.
Rolesville
The city of Rolesville has two public parks, with more in the works. Findout information on the parks and which one would work best for you by clicking here.
For more information, call Rolesville's parks department at (919) 554-6582.
Wake Forest
Here's a complete list of parks and facilities located in Wake Forest. There is one public community pool in Wake Forest, with family passes available for purchase.
For more information, call Wake Forest's parks department at (919) 554-6180.
For information on the playgrounds and other facilties in Wendell, click here.
For details, call Wendell's parks department at (919) 366-2266.
Zebulon
Check here for a listing of parks and programs geared to your family.
For more information, call Zebulon's parks department at (919) 269-8265.
Chapel Hill
To find all the parks and playgrounds, greenways and facilities, click here. To download a brochure describing the various parks, click here. The town also has an outdoor and indoor pool.
Don't Miss: Chapel Hill Skate Park and Batting Cage, at Homestead Park, 100 Northern Park Dr. It features a 10,000-square-foot concrete skate park and a batting cage.
For more information, call Chapel Hill's parks department at (919) 968-2784.
Carrboro
See what parks are available in Carrboro.
For more information about Carrboro's parks department, call (919) 918-7364.
Hillsborough
Hillsborough has several existing parks and planned parks.
Don't Miss: Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open in the nation. Now it's heavily forested, but remnants of the concession area and grandstands remains.
For more information about Hillsborough's parks, call (919) 732-1270.
Orange County
Orange County has several parks and recreation centers that have playgrounds and facilities available for youth.
For more information, call the Orange County parks department at (919) 245-2660.
Durham
Get a complete list of parks in the city of Durham that have playgrounds. The city's system also has several outdoor and indoor pools.
Don't Miss: West Point on the Eno Park, 5000 N. Roxboro Rd., is a 388-acre park along the Eno River. Take a hike, pack a picnic and bring along your canoe or kayak. It's the location of the annual Festival for the Eno.
For more information, call Durham's Parks Department at (919) 560-4355.
Smithfield
Find out about Smithfield's Parks and activities.
Don't Miss: Smithfield Recreation & Aquatic Center
For more information, contact Smithfield's Parks & Recreation Department at (919) 934-2148.
Selma
Click here to see which parks have playgrounds and other facilities.
For more information, contact Selma's parks department at (919) 975-1411.
Clayton
The town has several parks, with playgrounds, trails and other amenities.
For more information, call Clayton's parks department at (919) 553-1550.
Benson
See what is available in Benson by clicking here.
For more information, call Benson's parks department at (919) 894-5117.
Kenly
The town of Kenly has three town parks and a variety of clubs and other facilities.
For more information, call Kenly's parks department at (919) 284-9667.
Eno River State Park offers canoeing, camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing and other activities and events near Chapel Hill, Durham and Hillsborough. Map
Phone: (919) 383-1686
Falls Lake State Recreation Area near North Raleigh offers boating, camping, cycling, fishing, hiking, swimming and other activities and events. Map
Phone: (919) 676-1027
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area near Cary and Apex offers bald eagle watching, boating, swimming, camping, fishing, hiking and other activities and events. Map
Phone: (919) 362-0586
William B. Umstead State Park between Raleigh, Cary and Durham offers boating, bridle trails, camping, cycling, fishing, hiking and other activities and events. Map
Phone: (919) 571-4170
American Tobacco Trail is open to walkers, runners, dog walkers, bicyclists and horseback riders. It spans 23 miles from New Hill in western Wake County through northeast Chatham County to downtown Durham near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Phone: (919) 387-2117
Raleigh's Greenway Trail System has 54 miles of trails. It's a great place to walk, jog, hike and explore nature.
Phone: (919) 872-4115
Durham has an extensive network of trails.
Phone: (919) 560-4355
JC Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State University
An extensive collection of plants and great place to roam around, admiring all the different colors, shapes and textures.
Address: 4415 Beryl Rd., Raleigh
Phone: (919) 515-3132
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
A beautiful public garden at Duke University with children's programs, including a monthly storytime in the spring and fall and a Children's Discovery Garden.
Address: 426 Anderson St., Durham
Phone: (919) 684-3698
North Carolina Botanical Garden
The garden at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill aims to "inspire understanding, appreciation and conservation" of plants. The garden offers storytimes, special events and activities geared to families.
Address: Totten Center, Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill
Phone: (919) 962-0522
Raleigh Rose Garden
The garden near Cameron Village in Raleigh is home to more than 50 kinds of roses. With wide open spaces to run, it's a great place to take a picnic and spend an afternoon. It's also home to the Raleigh Little Theatre, which performs at the outdoor theater.
Address: 301 Pogue St., Raleigh
Phone: (919) 821-4579
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