Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator James Umbanhowar, who has lived in Durham’s Watts Hospital-Hillandale neighborhood for 15 years, is an avid cyclist and a delegate for Durham’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process. His love for cycling led him to the idea of building a pump track in Belmont Park. The pump track would allow kids (and adults) to learn how to ride in a safe environment. In early 2019 James submitted a proposal to earmark funding through the PB process for a dirt bike pump track in park. His proposal was one of 11 chosen by Durham residents. James worked with DPR’s Park Development team and together they collected neighbors’ opinions on the park’s restoration. One of his responsibilities was reach out the community and gather support. He emailed friends and bike listservs, contacted neighbors and spoke to the neighborhood association. Once the project got underway, James took on additional responsibilities to help make sure the park project stayed on track until...

Did you know there’s a waterfall at Spruce Pine Lodge? While this spot is typically known for its 1940s vintage log building ( a popular wedding/special occasions rental ) in the Lake Michie Recreation Area, it is also home to a waterfall! The Spruce Pine Lodge area also offers swings including standard and toddler (bucket swings). Restrooms are only available inside the Spruce Pine Lodge with a reservation. If you're looking to explore some hidden gems of Durham, why not take on a short hike along the Waterfalls Nature Trail and immerse yourself in the peace and tranquility of nature! How to access the Waterfall: If driving, park in the gravel parking area. Look for the trail signs marked Waterfalls Nature Trail directly off of the parking lot and look for the blue blaze trail marker. The main trailhead is easy to spot, or if you walk to the edge of the parking lot closest to where you came in, you will see another trailhead. You can go in either way, and you’ll come back out on t...

Durham Parks and Recreation and Beyond Fences are joining forces to provide a fun-filled afternoon with our canine friends! Your support will help us promote a dog-friendly community and provide services to people and their pets in underserved areas. Join us Saturday, October 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Durham Central Park. This event is rain or shine and free for both humans and canines!  You and your pooch pal are in for a spooktacular time! Activities will include:  COSTUME CONTEST | Dress up your pup for a chance to show off their favorite costume and win one of our contests. Local celebrity judges will determine the winner for each category. This year's costume contest categories are: Best Individual Costume (Dog Only) - 4 p.m. Best Group Costume - 5 p.m. MUSIC PERFORMANCE | The Mighty Messengers of Soul will be playing from 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Join this Classis Soul Band that will get you on your feet! PHOTO BOOTH | Participants will have an opportunity to purchase a special p...

Let's get healthy one mile at a time! Did you know there are Healthy Mile Trails scattered around Durham parks and trails!? Durham Parks and Recreation along with several other organizations such as Bull City United, City of Durham, Durham County Department of Public Health, Durham Housing Authority, to name a few, have partnered with Partnership for a Healthy Durham  to create walking trails throughout Durham! These one mile loops are marked on the pavement by a symbol of a walker in permanent yellow and green paint! What an easy way to get a some exercise in your local Durham neighborhood! Our Durham parks and recreation centers feature several Healthy Mile Trail locations nearby including:  Holton Career & Resource Center Old North Durham Park Hillside Park Whippoorwill Park* Northgate Park* *Recently installed as of September 2021 by employees from the Durham County Health Services department and Durham Parks and Recreation Walking these trails can be more powerf...