Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

Our hearts are full as we are spreading the love this February with activities and programs for all ages to enjoy! So you don't miss out on all the festivities, this blog post is a go-to guide highlighting what to mark on your calendar and make sure you're in the loop. Keep in mind, we regularly update the  calendar  on our website with activities year round so make sure to check there for more details including how how to register and contact information! FEB 5 Spread the Love :  We're spreading love in the community. Join us for an afternoon of card-making, just in time for Valentine's Day. Follow one of the templates or make your own unique creation. Cards will be donated to the Duke Children's Hospital to brighten the day of the children there. [4  p.m. - 5 p.m., I.R. Holmes Sr., Recreation Center ] FEB 11 Hearts Galore :  Hearts, hearts, and more hearts! Bring your preschooler and join us to celebrate this love-filled holiday with stories, crafts...

Did you know that Durham Parks and Recreation offers a wide variety of sports for all ages throughout the year? From volleyball to soccer, flag football to basketball, there are plenty of opportunities for you to Play More with DPR. Registration is opening very soon (if not already) for several of our youth and adult spring leagues. Grab your friends, create a team or sign up as an individual! Please note: Not all sports are offered for both adult and youth. Let's take a closer look at some athletics leagues are taking place during the upcoming 2020 Spring season... Bitty Baseball is a six week program offered to boys and girls ages 4-6 years old looking to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Games are held on Saturdays for one hour, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. at C.M. Herndon Park. For more information on fees, code of conduct and registration, visit our website . Durham Girls Soccer League (DGSL) is set to kick off for girls ages 6-13 years old in both the Spring and Fal...

Did you know that January 21 is National Squirrel Appreciation Day!? What a great day to learn about one of the world's cutest mammals and celebrate our favorite squirrel mascot, Parkson Rex! History of National Squirrel Appreciation Day This day was established in 2001 by Christy Hargrove, a wildlife rehabilitation specialist who desired to encourage positive attitudes and kind hearts toward these bushy-tailed, nut-loving creatures. While some might consider these tree climbing critters a nuisance, Squirrels actually play a large role in the ecosystem. Ever see them burying a nut in the ground for future use? Eventually, you'll notice a tree where the nut was buried - way to go Squirrels for contributing to renewing our forests! Learn more about the history of National Squirrel Appreciation Day . About Parkson Rex We welcomed Parkson Rex into the Durham Parks and Recreation family at the Fourth of July Celebration in 2018. Our former mascots, Earl and Pearl, adopted Par...

A new year means another 365 days to explore all the amazing things that Durham has to offer! From visiting new parks and playgrounds to joining an athletic league to learning a new skill, Durham Parks and Recreation is here to help you accomplish your new years resolutions and goals! But if you're looking for a fun challenge to take on in 2020, we have got you covered with all the details below... Did you know that we manage 68 parks throughout the City of Durham!? That's hundreds of acres to discover on a walk, bike ride or picnic with friends and family. For a full list of our parks, take a look at our website or visit the GoMaps website for an online map of the City of Durham's Parks and Trails systems. So what is the challenge for 2020? The 2020 DPR Park Challenge:  Visit all 68 parks before the end of the year (December 31, 2020) Download your 2020 DPR Park Challenge checklist here.  We want to see where you go! Don't forget to capture your progress by ...

Happy New Year! As I reflect on 2019, I am proud of the many accomplishments of Durham Parks and Recreation and our team! We hit our goal to connect our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning out of the park. From improving our internal systems to the unveiling of the new basketball courts at Hillside park, I am thrilled about our progress! Pictured: Parkson Rex presented the Biggest Feet Award with Parks and Recreation Director, Rhonda B. Parker, at the Knock Your Socks Off Summer Camp Assembly at Walltown Park Recreation Center. Campers painted their own socks, voted for their favorite socks, and danced the Hokey Pokey. As I look ahead to the year 2020, I can’t help but get excited about our vision for this year. In medical terms, 20/20 vision is used to measure a person's ability to see objects at a distance of 20 feet. Our vision extends far beyond 20 feet. Our goal is to continue to improve our internal systems, increase our health and welln...

If you've visited I.R. Holmes, Sr. Recreation Center at Campus Hills recently, you might have noticed a new garden and sculpture at the center of the drop-off roundabout. Standing 15-feet tall, a beautiful three dimensional aluminum structure and garden was created by Durham Resident, Boy Scout and Senior at Jordan High School, Shaun Deardorff. Shaun began planning this project over four years ago to fulfill his Eagle Scout badge, which is the highest rank to earn in Boy Scouts. He approached Durham Parks and Recreation with the idea and over the span of a few years, our staff reviewed, made suggestions and helped implement Shaun's idea into one of Durham's local parks! The project is officially called the 'World Peace Garden and Anti-Gun Violence and Terrorism Memorial'. His vision and desire is to spread the message of world peace and promote an end to gun violence in the community. He told a local news outlet "I knew I wanted to create some type of memor...

With more than 65 parks available for public use and more planned for future development, it's no question that Durham has great places to play! The City's parks serve as sites for many of Durham Parks and Recreation's athletic leagues, activities, and events. With all of those parks, comes the responsibility of continual maintenance and improvements efforts. And we want you to know that Durham Parks and Recreation has responded to the public's request to better maintain City parks and trails. Money from the 1/2 penny for park and trail deferred maintenance, Durham Parks Foundation, as well as money from the capital project planning, have gone into repairs. We hope you take the time to explore all that our parks have to offer! Now let's get to know one of our 68 parks! This week, we are highlighting one of our recently updated parks, Morreene Road Park...  A document in the Duke University Archives notes that in August, 1922, Ben and Dora Bridgers bought two lot...

Looking for something to do this Saturday? We've got you covered with the annual Durham Holiday Parade & Fun Fest! Get in the holiday spirit for a day full of free fun for the entire family, rain or shine! Start off your morning at 10 a.m. by cheering on dynamic floats, hometown bands, drill teams, schools, and community groups as they make their way down Main Street at the Durham Holiday Parade. The procession will conclude with a guest appearance from Santa. This year we're excited to welcome Shelly A. Green, the immediate Past President & CEO of Discover Durham, as the 2019 Holiday Parade Marshal. Read more about Green in her bio . PRO TIP: Seating will not be provided so bring your own chairs and blankets! And to be even more prepared, we've posted the Holiday Parade Route Map and Staging Map online - check them out ahead of time! Not able to make it? The Holiday Parade will be streamed live on  CBS17.com !  Then, beginning at 1 p.m. until 4...