Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

By: Kelsey Warren, Recreation Specialist What looks like a empty piece of land will soon be filled with some delicious fruits and vegetables in a community garden coming to W.D. Hill Recreation Center...and you can be part of the volunteer team to make it happen! For over 5 years the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr has been celebrated at W.D. Hill Recreation Center, a day that brings out the community and honors the life of Dr. King through the arts. It’s a day of fanfare and entertainment and is always looked forward to by community members who gather into the center to experience all that the staff have put together for the event.  When it came time to plan the MLK event last year, we were in a very interesting predicament with COVID-19 and all the restrictions that were put in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. Unfortunately, it was clear that the traditional layout of the event was not something that would be likely and we were left with two choices: pivot or cance...

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator “Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.” – Helen Dyer Coach2Inspire is a student led organization at Duke University founded by Abhi Balu. It is a nationally recognized non-profit dedicated to positive youth development. Since 2019 Coach2Inspire has provided nearly 1350 service hours to DPR’s youth basketball program. When asked why he created the organization Abhi said that “Some of the most influential people in my life were coaches, and I wanted to pay that forward to the youth of Durham, impacting not only their physical/athletic development, but also their growth as teammates, leaders, and people.” From coaching in DPR’s leagues to leading a socially distanced basketball clinic during the pandemic to running outdoor clinics at local parks in the offseason. Coash2Inspire’s coaches have worked with hundreds of Durham’s kids using baske...

By: Tammy Brown, Recreation Resource Manager On September 13, 2021, our very own Cathy Reagan, Recreation Assistant Supervisor, was selected as the 2021 League Volunteer Service Award (Given by Omega Sports) recipient for the United States Tennis Association North Carolina. This award is presented to the individuals who made generous contributions to the USTA League Tennis program that have resulted in the growth of tennis on the local and/or state level.  USTA’s Director of Adult Play, Dani Broadstreet said that “newer league coordinators reach out to Cathy when they need help setting things up, and Cathy is always willing to take time out of her day to walk them through things.” Cathy is always willing to help with all things league tennis-related. Cathy is an excellent source of knowledge and is an incredible volunteer during state league championships. She is willing to do anything needed to make the championships run smoothly. Cathy also sits on the Adult League Committee, w...

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right through Downtown Durham! Join us in celebrating the holiday season by attending the Durham Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 18 starting at 11 a.m. Cheer on dynamic floats, hometown bands, drill teams, schools, and community groups as they make their way down Main Street.  We have lined up some special guests that will be part of this year's parade! We're excited to welcome Mayor-elect, Elaine M. O'Neal, as the 2021 Holiday Parade Marshal. Read more about O'Neal is her bio on our website . And the 2021 Holiday Parade Emcee is WRAL Evening Anchor, Lena Tillett.  Make sure you don't leave before the parade is over or you'll miss the jolliest special guest of them all! The procession will conclude with a guest appearance from Santa! The parade will start at the Health Department (Main and Dillard Streets) and end near Duke University East Campus (Main Street and Buchanan Boulevard). Designated performance are...

Have you heard!? The January - May 2022 Play More Guide is officially released! We've got 54 pages of fun, interactive and educational programs and activities for all ages, intensity levels and interests. Whether you step up your fitness game during Trail Blazers at Edison Johnson Recreation Center or learn how to garden while attending the Kid's Garden and Nature Club at Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park, we have something for everyone to participate in! Registration officially opened for the January through May events on December 1! So don't wait too long to sign up because spots fill up fast! If the program you are interested in requires preregistration, head over to ActiveNet to register today! Please note: All information in the program guide is subject to change. Please refer to the COVID-19 page on our website for the most up-to-date information on our openings and closings. How do I register for a program? We have an online registration po...