Enjoy the Great Outdoors!
Spring and summer is upon us and that means it’s time to get outside and explore the great outdoors! Whether you pack a delicious picnic for your family or take your dog on a quick hike, there is something for everyone to enjoy. This blog is the perfect guide to highlight a few of the many parks, trails, and outdoor activities that Durham Parks and Recreation has to offer.
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Durham also has several cultural heritage parks. These significant natural and historic parks provide opportunities for passive recreational pursuits such as picnicking, fishing, hiking, outdoor nature study and learning Durham's cultural history through tours and programs. These include Leigh Farm Park and West Point on the Eno. We offer a series of programs and classes throughout the year at each of these parks that teach participants skills such as historic trades, gardening, textile arts, historic foodways, and crafts.
Address: 370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707
Hours: The park gates are open daily, year-round, from 8 a.m. to dark.
Leigh Farm Park is located just north of N.C. 54 at the I-40 interchange on 370 Leigh Farm Road. The 82.8-acre property is anchored by a 7-acre historic core listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Not only does this park feature a disc golf course, picnic tables, and greenway and trail access, the historic area includes an early 19th century dairy, a mid 19th century smokehouse, a late 19th century carriage house, and so much more. For full in-depth history of this park, visit our website.
Even dogs deserve their own parks to play and run around in! Dog owners represent a large (and growing!) segment of the community. While regular leash walks provide a level of exercise that promotes good dog health, access to open space for off-leash play and socialization is equally important. DPR has 3 dog parks, which offer a safe and controlled environment for dogs and their owners, including the Downtown Durham Dog Park, Northgate Dog Park and Piney Wood Dog Park.
Address: 400 E. Woodcroft Parkway, Durham, NC 27713
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Piney Wood Dog Park (located at 400 E. Woodcroft Pkwy.) features 4 separate enclosed areas - a small dog area (15 inches and smaller, 30 pounds and under), large dog area (15 inches and taller, 30 pounds and over), program area and entrance area. Amenities include water fountains, waste bag dispensers, benches and a kiosk. All dogs must be registered with DPR annually. Visit the Canine Recreation page for details on how to register your pup! For more information about Piney Wood Dog park, visit our website.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
The Long Meadow Pool will be open from June 8 through August 17, 2018. Featured in the picture, this pool has a water slide attached to it as well as a deep end. Please check our website for admission fees. Side note: Free admission on Mondays!
As the temperature rises, Durham Parks and Recreation provides places for residents to cool off. Spraygrounds are playground areas with water features and they officially opening in the next few weeks - East End Park, Edison Johnson and Forest Hills Park Sprayground are all opening this weekend! Hillside Park will be opening on June 8th. We have four spraygrounds: East End Park Sprayground (1200 N. Alston Avenue), Edison Johnson Sprayground (500 W. Murray Avenue), Forest Hills Park Sprayground (1639 University Drive), Hillside Park Sprayground (1221 Sawyer Street).
Lake Michie recently underwent construction, and now includes the following amenities:
Parks
Durham has great places to play! The City's parks serve as sites for many of Durham Parks and Recreation's athletic leagues, activities, and events. More than 65 parks are available for public use with more planned for future development. For a full list of our parks and their amenities, visit our website. Each park has a page dedicated to its history and features, some of which include playgrounds, picnic shelters, greenways and trail access and grills. If you are looking for a picnic shelter this spring and summer season, check out our Picnic Shelter Rentals page on our website.Park Spotlight: Duke Park
Address: 106 West Knox Street, Durham NC 27701Hours: Dawn to Dusk
With 17.24 acres of park space, Duke Park has so much to offer. From picnic shelters and grills to greenway/trail access and playgrounds, there is something for everyone.The land that makes up Duke Park was a farm (and apparently a local source for hand-mined coal) that was owned by Brodie Duke in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. When Duke began platting out lots and selling properties in the area, the Junior League persuaded him to donate this parcel for a park site- after all, its topography made it relatively unbuildable. The homes and bungalows developing along Glendale, Mangum, and N. Roxboro Street increased rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s as automobiles became more popular, and the City looked to develop the site as a park.
Durham also has several cultural heritage parks. These significant natural and historic parks provide opportunities for passive recreational pursuits such as picnicking, fishing, hiking, outdoor nature study and learning Durham's cultural history through tours and programs. These include Leigh Farm Park and West Point on the Eno. We offer a series of programs and classes throughout the year at each of these parks that teach participants skills such as historic trades, gardening, textile arts, historic foodways, and crafts.
Park Spotlight: Leigh Farm Park
Address: 370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham, NC 27707
Hours: The park gates are open daily, year-round, from 8 a.m. to dark.
Leigh Farm Park is located just north of N.C. 54 at the I-40 interchange on 370 Leigh Farm Road. The 82.8-acre property is anchored by a 7-acre historic core listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Not only does this park feature a disc golf course, picnic tables, and greenway and trail access, the historic area includes an early 19th century dairy, a mid 19th century smokehouse, a late 19th century carriage house, and so much more. For full in-depth history of this park, visit our website.
Even dogs deserve their own parks to play and run around in! Dog owners represent a large (and growing!) segment of the community. While regular leash walks provide a level of exercise that promotes good dog health, access to open space for off-leash play and socialization is equally important. DPR has 3 dog parks, which offer a safe and controlled environment for dogs and their owners, including the Downtown Durham Dog Park, Northgate Dog Park and Piney Wood Dog Park.
Park Spotlight: Piney Wood Dog Park
Address: 400 E. Woodcroft Parkway, Durham, NC 27713
Hours: Dawn to Dusk
Piney Wood Dog Park (located at 400 E. Woodcroft Pkwy.) features 4 separate enclosed areas - a small dog area (15 inches and smaller, 30 pounds and under), large dog area (15 inches and taller, 30 pounds and over), program area and entrance area. Amenities include water fountains, waste bag dispensers, benches and a kiosk. All dogs must be registered with DPR annually. Visit the Canine Recreation page for details on how to register your pup! For more information about Piney Wood Dog park, visit our website.
Outdoor Pools & Spraygrounds
Durham Parks and Recreation maintains three outdoor seasonal pools for individuals and families to enjoy water activities, water exercise, and swim lessons. These include Forest Hills Pool, Hillside Pool and Long Meadow Pool. Daily admission fees as well as other information can be found on our website.
Outdoor Pool Spotlight: Long Meadow Pool
Address: 917 Liberty Street, Durham, NC 27701
Hours of Operation: Monday-Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.The Long Meadow Pool will be open from June 8 through August 17, 2018. Featured in the picture, this pool has a water slide attached to it as well as a deep end. Please check our website for admission fees. Side note: Free admission on Mondays!
As the temperature rises, Durham Parks and Recreation provides places for residents to cool off. Spraygrounds are playground areas with water features and they officially opening in the next few weeks - East End Park, Edison Johnson and Forest Hills Park Sprayground are all opening this weekend! Hillside Park will be opening on June 8th. We have four spraygrounds: East End Park Sprayground (1200 N. Alston Avenue), Edison Johnson Sprayground (500 W. Murray Avenue), Forest Hills Park Sprayground (1639 University Drive), Hillside Park Sprayground (1221 Sawyer Street).
Sprayground Spotlight: Edison Johnson Sprayground
Address: 500 W. Murray Avenue, Durham, NC 27701
Hours: Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Spraygrounds are playground areas with water features, that allow residents fun places to cool off when the temperature rises! The pictured sprayground is located in between the Edison Johnson Recreation Center and Aquatics Center within Rock Quarry Park. In addition to the sprayground, there is also a playground, picnic tables and a grill. The Edison Johnson Sprayground is open the end of May through the end of September. There is a also a short trail that connects the sprayground to the large field and tennis courts within Rock Quarry Park. There is no cost to use the Edison Johnson Sprayground. For more information about the Edison Johnson Sprayground, visit our website.
Spraygrounds are playground areas with water features, that allow residents fun places to cool off when the temperature rises! The pictured sprayground is located in between the Edison Johnson Recreation Center and Aquatics Center within Rock Quarry Park. In addition to the sprayground, there is also a playground, picnic tables and a grill. The Edison Johnson Sprayground is open the end of May through the end of September. There is a also a short trail that connects the sprayground to the large field and tennis courts within Rock Quarry Park. There is no cost to use the Edison Johnson Sprayground. For more information about the Edison Johnson Sprayground, visit our website.
Lakes
Pack a picnic or some fishing gear and head to the lake! We have two city lakes to enjoy, Lake Michie and Little River Lake, in northern Durham County which offer recreational fishing and boating. Both lakes are open to the public Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 6:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. mid-March through mid-November. Canoes, kayaks, water bikes, and jon boats are available to rent. Personal boats and motors are not allowed on Little River Lake. For more information on both of these lakes, visit our website for the most up-to-date information.Lake Spotlight: Lake Michie
Address: 2802 Bahama Road, Bahama, NC 27503
Hours: Friday-Monday, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 9-Monday, November 12, 2018
Lake Michie recently underwent construction, and now includes the following amenities:
- ADA accessible boat house
- Handrails that meet ADA specifications
- A new dock that meets ADA specifications
- An ADA accessible canoe/kayak launch
Lake Michie offers some of the finest largemouth bass fishing in the Piedmont. Fishing licenses are required. For more information, including rental fees, lifejacket rules and details on launching your own boat, visit our website.
Stay Connected with Us! We’ll keep you posted on all the latest and greatest things happening at Durham Parks and Recreation - including whenever we have important updates regarding our outdoor activities! Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information that Durham Parks and Recreation has to offer, right in your inbox and social media accounts. For more details on how to stay connected with us, visit our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Stay Connected with Us! We’ll keep you posted on all the latest and greatest things happening at Durham Parks and Recreation - including whenever we have important updates regarding our outdoor activities! Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information that Durham Parks and Recreation has to offer, right in your inbox and social media accounts. For more details on how to stay connected with us, visit our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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