Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

Durham Parks and Recreation(DPR) joins communities across North Carolina in celebrating the 2023 Year of the Trail , a statewide campaign inviting every North Carolinian to get outside onto the trails, greenways, and blueways that stretch across the state. Each month DPR will highlight a trail and provide Durham residents with a trail focus self-guided activity. Residents are encouraged to visit the monthly Trail Spotlight and complete a self-guided activity and photo challenge for a chance to win a DPR Play More Pack! We’ll also share activities, programs, and events taking place on DPR trails all year long to make it easy and fun for residents to experience our trail network. January Trail Spotlight: Sandy Creek Park Trail Loop Sandy Creek Park,  is a small but productive birding location. Located on the site of a long-abandoned sewage treatment plant, the 102-acre tract was being offered for sale in the early 1990s. It became a City of Durham park in 1997 following its identi...

The City of Durham Department of Parks and Recreation broke ground this month on a new inclusive playground in East Durham’s Merrick-Moore Park, thanks to a pledge of $80,000 from the Durham Parks Foundation. The Durham Parks Foundation , a local nonprofit that raises funds for Durham Parks and Recreation projects, has facilitated $80,000 in charitable donations for the new Merrick-Moore Park playground. The funding will go toward a poured-in-place surface, a durable, solid rubber material that ensures park-goers of all ages and abilities can enjoy playground amenities. “I'm grateful for the leadership of the Durham Parks Foundation and how united our two organizations are when it comes to improving universal access to Durham’s parks and playgrounds,” said Wade Walcutt, director of Durham Parks and Recreation. “The Durham Parks Foundation’s gift of $80,000 for this accessible playground is historic in two ways: It's the largest gift to date to DPR, and it's our first in...

  2023 NC Year of the Trail Get outdoors in the new year: 2023 is Year of the Trail in North Carolina. What exactly is Year of the Trail ? Year of the Trail is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in North Carolina history. Trails are the backbone of our state’s growing $28 billion outdoor recreation economy. Known as the “ Great Trails State ,” North Carolina has a vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes . In Durham, Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) maintains over 30 miles of multi-use trails and greenways. DPR ’s multi-use trails are free and accessible to the community and provide excellent opportunities for residents to recreate and exercise.   The Year of the Trail campaign will reach communities across the state with the message of how and where to experience trails that showcase North Carolina’s beautiful landscapes, provide healthy recreation, and stimulate local economies. The NC Gene...