Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator Undoubtedly, at some point in the last couple of years, you have seen a tennis court with new (and maybe strange) markings or players walking around with distinctive looking racquets. And you probably have wondered what kind of game is played on the smaller court with a shorter handle racquet. Welcome to pickleball! Pickleball is a sport that combines many components of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It can be played indoors or out, with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. In 2020 a group of enthusiastic players formed the Durham Area Pickleball Players (DAPP) to help spread their love of the sport. They have volunteered hundreds of hours to assist with the many Durham Parks and Recreation pickleball programs, tournaments, clinics and ladders held in the last two years. Today, there are nearly 500 players in the Durham area, largely due to their commitment to grow the sport. Additionally, the group has raised over $10,000 towards the install...

Calling all of Durham's Bike Enthusiasts! Discover the American Tobacco Trail at night at our Full Moon Fever Bike Ride with the Durham Community Trail Watch group! Join us once a month on or around the predicted Full Moon for a unique bike riding experience. The ride has two starting times and locations to choose from. The first ride start is at 7:30 p.m. in front of Mellow Mushroom (410 Blackwell Street) in downtown Durham. That group will ride down the American Tobacco Trail and meet up with the second group that meets at 8:30 p.m. in front of Bean Traders (105 W North Carolina 54). This ride is approximately 32 miles. The second group will meet at 8:30 p.m. in front of Bean Traders (105 W North Carolina 54) on Hwy 54 at Fayetteville Street, and ride to the New Hope Church Road Trailhead, and then turn around. This ride is approximately 16 miles. Both groups will ride together on the American Tobacco Trail to the end of the pavement at New Hope Church Road, and then turn around ...

Get your baskets in the ready position because it's time for our annual Egg Hunts! Mr. Bunny is on his way for a visit to Durham Parks and Recreation's facilities and parks, hiding eggs for children 12 and under to find. Reminder, don't forget to bring your own basket for collecting eggs! Make sure you mark your calendar for some FREE family friendly (and canine friendly) events taking place this April! Spring Egg Dive @ Campus Hills Pool | Saturday, April 2 from 1 p.m to 5 p.m. It's an Eggstravaganza! Dive, splash, and swim for eggs and win prizes at our Spring Egg Dive event. All swim levels are welcome and life vests will be provided. An adult will need to enter the water with children 9 years of age and younger. Registration required. Sign up on ActiveNet. Egg Hunt @ West Point on the Eno | Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to Noon Egg hunters wanted at our 35th Annual Egg Hunt at West Point on the Eno. Children 0-12 will be divided into groups according to their age f...

By: Caitlin Avinger, Recreation Coordinator Are you looking for a new place to visit with your class or homeschool group?! Well, look no further than a field trip to Durham Parks and Recreation’s West Point on the Eno. Field trips are an important element of a well-rounded education. They encourage learning through movement, foster a connection with the community and its history, and promote continued discovery. West Point on the Eno provides all of this and more within our new field trip program. We offer immersive exploration through history, the natural environment, health and wellness, and so much more! Field trips to West Point on the Eno offer students engaging hands-on learning through customized experiences! The park features an historic water-powered grist mill, a Victorian-era home, the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography housed in an original outbuilding, and miles of hiking trails all nestled along the Eno River…and just a short drive from Downtown Durham. During their visit,...

We're gearing up for another year of Fun Caravan! Get ready to enjoy crafts, games, and exciting offerings all while exploring a Durham park near you! Fun Caravan is a mobile recreation program that brings free recreation to communities throughout Durham by providing a variety of fun, active, and recreational experiences for families with children up to 12 years old. The program offers a variety of unstructured activities in the park.  Unstructured play is critical for the healthy development of children. At Fun Caravan, we provide arts and crafts supplies and outdoor resources for games, and then encourage children and their parents to play freely! Allow your child to lead and create the games. When children are given the time and space to play liberally, they are able to practice decision making skills, reduce stress, and allow for social growth. All children must be supervised by a caregiver at least 16 years old. Registration is not required so come drop in and join us. Weather...

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator The Recreation Advisory (RAC) is one of Durham Parks and Recreation’s longest standing volunteer groups. The group is comprised of nine Durham residents that are appointed by the City Council. The work of the RAC is to share their opinions and perspectives and develop recommendations, while also serving as a connection between the community and City staff. This work is accomplished by looking through the lenses of equity and inclusion. RAC members are engaged in our community and talk to residents throughout Durham about their experience with our programs. They accomplish this by attending and participating in numerous DPR programs and special events. RAC members also support of DPR with direct involvement in several areas. DPR’s Youth Soccer Academy (Cedric), Outdoor Recreation Exercise programs (Leslie), and Pickleball (Rebecca) are just a few examples of their volunteer contribution to the department and the community. The RAC was selected ...

Another school year is coming to an end, but that means summer is about to get started! Are you looking for fun and interactive ways to keep your child's mind active and engaged over summer break? Durham Parks and Recreation is here to help!  We're excited to announce that youth and teen summer camps will be held Monday, June 13 through Friday, August 12, 2022. Campers will enjoy a host of indoor and outdoor recreation activities including: fitness fun, arts and crafts, games, friendship building activities, and much more. Please know that every consideration has been made with the best possible safety practices in place to protect our participants, their families, and our staff. Youth & Teen Summer Camps Youth summer camps are open to ages 5-12. Child must have completed kindergarten and turned 5 by September 1, 2021 and cannot be older than 12 years of age by September 1, 2021. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., held at four of our local recreation...

Who's ready to go for the gold!? Registration is officially open for the 2022 Durham Senior Games & SilverArts (DSGSA)! This Olympic style competition is designed to create a year-round health promotion and competition for participants that are 50+ years old. Join us during this year’s games taking place April 11 through May 9, 2022.  As we continue dealing with COVID-19, there have been many changes to the 2022 DSGSA. The number of both athletic and artistic events, the format of SilverArts submissions, and a number of other necessary changes have been implemented. Our top priority is safety for our athletes, staff, and volunteers. It is important that we provide these games in a limited format, and we will look forward to returning to our full slate and scope in the years ahead. Registration is now open through Friday, March 18 and here are the two ways to register: Online - Register online via ActiveNet By Mail – to obtain a copy of the entry form, email Michael Honeycutt Ke...