Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

Did you know that July was Park and Recreation month? We celebrated A Lifetime of Discovery with our favorite squirrel couple, Earl and Pearl. They have been scurrying throughout the parks and trails of Durham since 1999 as DPR’s mascots. While we have loved their presence at our special events and other programs, Earl and Pearl have decided it’s time to retire. But don’t worry, a new mascot has taken their place...and his name is Parkson Rex! While spending time at a local DPR park, Earl and Pearl found a lonely baby squirrel resting in a tree. They realized the baby squirrel did not have a home and did not have parents to look after it. Without hesitation, Earl and Pearl took the cute baby squirrel in as their own. In search of a name, they reached out to Durham residents to help determine what they should call the baby squirrel and decided on Parkson Rex. Now it’s time for Parkson to take over Earl and Pearl’s legacy and continue the duties of being the DPR mascot. We can’t wait ...

Humans aren’t the only ones who deserve a nice, cool swim this summer! Join us for the 5th Annual Pooch Plunge at Hillside Pool on September 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event does require registration - either online , at any recreation center or at the event - as well as a small fee to enter ($6 for City Residents and $11 for Non-City Residents). Enjoy a fun-filled day at the pool, along with your best friend on four legs. The outdoor Hillside Pool provides a safe and enclosed environment for you and your dog to swim and play in the water. The pool has a zero entry ramp which allows the not so brave to enter the pool slowly or play and relax where their paws can touch the bottom. The very brave can jump from the sides, and paddle around while chasing toys and enjoying the day. We’ll have beach music playing to set the mood, some toys, treats and drinking water for the dogs as well as human snacks and drinks. There is even a chance we will turn on the sprayground for dogs to r...

Raise your paws in excitement! Join us for the Grand Opening Celebration of the PetSafe® Dog Park located at Duke Park, which will be taking place on Thursday, August 23 from 5 p.m until 6:30 p.m. Swing by 1608 Acadia Street, Durham, NC 27701 to see the brand new completed project, funded by PetSafe® and the Durham Parks Foundation. This event is free and open to the public! We will have an official Leash Cutting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dogs and their humans are invited to put their paw of approval on Durham's newest Dog Park. We'll also have food trucks on site throughout the event. Please Note: All dogs are welcome, but must have proof of vaccinations to enter the dog park. The PetSafe Dog Park located at Duke Park features 2 separate enclosed areas - a small dog area and a large dog area. Amenities within the dog park include waste bag dispensers and benches. The small dog area is for dogs 15 inches or smaller and/or 30 pounds or under. The large dog area is for dog...

Join us this Saturday, August 11, 2018 as we host the Durham Latino Festival at Rock Quarry Park (701 Stadium Drive) from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. There will be a wide range of festival activities for the entire family to enjoy including live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, ethnic food and a youth soccer tournament. The Main Stage Schedule has a talented lineup of artists that will be performing all throughout the festival. Some of the artists include Caique Vidal & Batuque, Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano and Los Rumeros Star. For a full list of performances, visit our website by clicking here . Seating will not be provided so make sure you bring your own lawn chair and/or a blanket to sit on! Please keep in mind, the following items are NOT allowed at the event: coolers, smoking, alcohol, personal canopies or tents, and pets. But we’d love for you to bring your own Water Bottle! Help reduce waste and fill up your bottle with free water refills from the water truck. In cas...

Can you believe summer is almost over? We’re so excited for all that’s ahead! This fall is jam-packed full with so many new activities and programs for every age to enjoy. If you haven’t picked up a copy already, the September-December 2018 Play More Guide is now available. You’ll be able to learn more about the Bull City Campout, Pickleball, Babysitter Training, and how to volunteer with Cultural Heritage. Make sure to save the date...registration for most activities begins on Wednesday, August 1, 2018! What is the Play More Guide? Play More is a guide to creative and challenging recreation choices in Durham and is produced by Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR). Three editions are published throughout the year - June-August, September-December, and January-May. Each guide consists of upcoming activities for all ages to enjoy, including both registered and drop-in activities. Inside each Play More Guide you will find detailed information on our Play More card, pass sale chart, f...

By: Chris Gatewood, Volunteer Services and Operations Management Intern What is a Volunteer?  Volunteer: [vol-uhn-teer] - n. One of life's most valuable natural resources. Volunteering is often considered an unselfish act and many times is intended to promote the common good and improve the quality of human life. Volunteering produces feelings of self-worth, respect, and opens our eyes to some of the challenges in the world around us. The Walltown Teen Camp (WTC) did a remarkable job of volunteering unselfishly during the week of July 9-13. During that week they helped 8 different non-profit agencies throughout Durham and learned about the mission and importance of each. In 2017, the estimated value of a volunteer’s time in NC was $23.41/hr. So, WTC donated nearly $5,700 worth of time back to their community! (independentsector.org) So, what did we do?...  Senior CommUnity Care of North Carolina Our first stop of the week was with Senior CommUnity Care of North Ca...

By: Laura de Ara, Master Program Specialist For over 40 years, Durham Parks and Recreation’s “Fun Caravan” has provided our community with a memorable tradition that intends to build a bond between families and the parks that frame our neighborhoods. Originally developed as a series of one-week playground programs, the Fun Caravan would operate all day long out of many of our historical schools. Here is an article from The Carolina Times promoting the program on June 26, 1976; the full publication can be accessed by clicking here .  During those early years, Fun Caravan was under the supervision of, Carl Washington, DPR Director. Washington was a prominent figure in our community, his efforts helped shape Durham into the progressive melting-pot that it is today. He is remembered for the establishment of, and acting city liaison to, Northeast Central Durham. He tackled issues of crime, poverty, and racial divide through programs like Partners Against Crime, Hispanic Outreach ...

By: Durham Parks Foundation West Point on the Eno is getting a new Environmental Education Pavilion this summer! The NC State Summer Design Studio, helmed by Ellen Cassilly of Ellen Cassilly Architects, and Randy Lanou, Erik Melman and Scott Metheny of BuildSense, has selected this site as their 2018 project. We’re excited now to unveil the winning design for the Pavilion! The students from the NC State Summer Design Studio have outdone themselves, creating a design that will meet educational programming needs while also providing a new native prairie habitat for the public to explore. We look forward to sharing the final product with you at the end of July. In the meantime, we’re excited to show you a preview of this new gem of the West Point of the Eno! We hope that you’re as impressed with the space these students are creating for park visitors like you. This new facility will activate the underutilized northern section of the West Point Park, allowing DPR staff to add E...