$80,000 pledged toward new, inclusive playground in East Durham

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 intentionally designed playground for all abilities with the design driven by the community.”

Universal access has become a top priority for the foundation, which was founded in 2015. Eleven Durham residents currently serve as volunteer board members for the foundation and agree that inclusive play spaces are important for child development as well as community connection.

The 50-acre Merrick-Moore Park celebrated its grand opening in the Summer of 2022 and currently offers four lighted, natural turf multipurpose fields, parking, a restroom, and a picnic shelter. The playground, along with walking trails and art sculptures, is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2023.

“Our parks, trails, and greenspaces are some of the greatest resources we can leverage in our ongoing pursuit of creating an equitable and inclusive shared environment within our community,” said David Green, board president for the Durham Parks Foundation. “Every dollar the Durham Parks Foundation raises and every partnership we enter strengthens our ability to serve our mission of preserving and expanding those resources.”

About Durham Parks Foundation

The Durham Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports Durham's parks, trails, and open spaces, which contribute to the environmental quality, economic growth, and beauty of Durham.

The organization was founded in 2015 to facilitate public/private partnerships for Durham Parks and Recreation. The foundation is a volunteer-led organization that provides fundraising, helps publicize future projects, and advocates for the expansion, accessibility, and improvement of Durham’s open spaces.

To learn more about the Durham Parks Foundation and make a monetary gift toward park accessibility in the Bull City, please visit durhamparksfoundation.org.