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Every Parks and Recreation Department understands an important edict: Family life is not all work and no play. At the heart of every town is a hard-working staff bringing sports programs, summer camps, art classes and cultural events to our communities. No matter what size the town, the instinct to preserve green space, build safe playgrounds and throw a good party is there. Our larger community is the Triangle, but we all turn to local parks and recreation services to satisfy our leisure needs. And we’re happy to spread the news that many of the towns have excellent Web sites detailing the services their parks departments offer; some are even outstanding. If you’re a stranger to your local parks and recreation services, now is the time to study their brochures, visit their Web sites, or give them a call.
Apex Parks and Recreation
(919) 249-3419
www.apexnc.org
Apex is one of the fastest growing communities in the Triangle and its Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department hasn’t missed a step preparing to entertain and educate its new and existing townspeople. Throughout the year, watch for special events provided by Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, including a 2-Ball Contest for boys and girls, Youth Fishing Derby at Apex Community Lake, Fourth of July Celebration with Uncle Sam’s Parade of Wheels, Turkey Trot, Halloween Carnival,
Family Basketball Turkey Shoot and Easter Egg Hunt. If you’re looking for great outside activities, be sure to visit the KidsTowne Park on Kelly Park Road, a wonderful castle-like play area that draws kids from all over the Triangle. And like many of the parks and recreation departments, Apex has a wonderful Web site that provides maps, directions and details about its outdoor parks, plus programming throughout the year, summer camps and community centers.
Carrboro Recreation Parks Department
(919) 918-7364
www.townofcarrboro.org
At its heart, Carrboro is a community-focused town and at its hub is the Parks & Recreation Department, creating and maintaining a breadth of leisure programs, greenways, parks, programs, festivals, special events and children’s programs. Watch the Carolina Parent calendar in the regular monthly issues for information about upcoming festivities, such as Carrboro Day, Teen Poetry Slam, Fishing Rodeo, Carrboro Music Festival and the July 4th Celebration. Throughout the year, Carrboro offers the popular Lollipop Series for kids, featuring special guests, and Family Bingo Night, Kids Bingo, a toddler and preschooler playtime at Carrboro Century Center. And if you’re looking for fun summer camps, check out what the town has to offer, ranging from Ultimate Frisbee Camp to Kinderventures Camp to Eco-Odyssey Camp and many more.
Cary Parks and Recreation and Cultural Resources
(919) 469-4061
www.townofcary.org
Year-round sports, arts and crafts, fitness programs, community events and park facilities for all ages.
Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation
(919) 968-2784
www.chapelhillparks.org
Chapel Hill may be a small town, but it has big leisure offerings. Whether you’re looking for batting cages, skate parks, pools, parks, free play at local gymnasiums, greenways, community centers or babysitting courses, Chapel Hill’s Parks & Recreation Web site is the best place to start exploring. Start with a visit to the Lincoln Gymnasium and Arts Center and start your child in one of the many pottery programs, or sign up for swim classes at the Chapel Hill Community Center. During the year, popular festivals include Festifall, Family Fun Day, and a July 4th Celebration.
Clayton Parks and Recreation Department
(919) 553-1555
According to a 2000 census, Clayton was home to approximately 8,000 people. Today, it’s considered the fastest growing town in Johnston County. Many of Clayton’s events are sponsored by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce (www.claytonchamber.com), which gives Clayton Parks and Recreation a chance to focus on year-round programming and recreational opportunities for local families.
Durham Parks and Recreation
(919) 560-4355
www.durhamnc.gov
Durham Parks and Recreation wants its citizens to “Play More” and has the resources to make that happen. Offering 65 parks, 11 community centers, two city lakes and some exciting new plans in the works under the Capital Improvement Plans (www.durhamnc.gov/cip), Durham has more than enough to keep your family busy, challenged, relaxed and entertained. Find the official “Play More” brochure online or call the office for a copy. Looking for a specific park? Try the Park Locator function on the Web site and discover the many parks Durham has to offer. Throughout the year, Durham Parks & Recreation offers spring break camps, summer camps, Hispanic class offerings, and programs and activities for children from infant through teens. Special events are plentiful, and include such favorites as city-wide egg hunts, teen dances, Christmas at West Point, Kwanzaa Celebration, Latino Festival, Festival on the Eno, summer concerts, and much more.
Garner Parks and Recreation
(919) 772-4688
www.ci.garner.nc.us
In 2005, Garner celebrated its 100-year centennial and if the Parks & Recreation offerings are any indication, there is much to enjoy in this small, robust town. Whether your family is interested in Kinder Garden classes for young green thumbs, mountain biking, backpacking, fishy fun, moonlight cruises on Lake Benson, fly fishing or learning about bees, there’s no end to family fun in Garner. And the special events give locals something to look forward to all year long, including the Garner Family Concert Series, Independence Day Celebration and other fun festivities. For detailed information about year-round programs, summer camps, or athletic, academic, leadership, and art experiences for children ages preschool to teen, visit the Web site.
Holly Springs Parks and Recreation
(919) 557-9600
www.hollyspringsnc.us
By 2006, Holly Springs had an estimated population of 17,500, making it another town that boasts a small-town feel with big-city access. By late 2006, Holly Springs will see the completion of a 20,000-square-foot Cultural Center and County Library, giving the town a state-of-the-art location for theatrical productions, classes, art experiences, lectures and much more. And for those who love the outdoors, Holly Springs Parks & Recreation also offers Bass Lake Park, nature trails, greenways and open space throughout the town. For a sample of the year-round programming offered to children and youth, visit the Web site and sample some of the recreational activities, afterschool programs, and summer camps.
Knightdale Parks and Recreation
(919) 217-2230
www.ci.knightdale.nc.us
A close neighbor of the Neuse River, Knightdale enjoys many of the perks of small-town life, while also enjoying proximity to Raleigh. Year-round programming keeps kids of all ages entertained, and the pool, youth sports, special events and summer camps provide a well-rounded parks and recreation experience for the whole family.
Morrisville Parks and Recreation
(919) 463-7110
www.ci.morrisville.nc.us
Morrisville may be 10 square miles in area, but it has enjoyed great success as the “Heart of the Triangle,” neighboring both Raleigh-Durham Airport and Research Triangle Park. Current estimates put Morrisville’s population at approximately 11,000, well up from 250 individuals in 1989. Morrisville’s Park and Recreation programs are a mirror of this growth: families will find something for everyone, whether it’s the Family Super Bowl Party, Black History Month Celebration, Bunny Breakfast and Egg Hunt, or Morrisville’s largest special event, the Day in the Park Festival. Regular year-round programming will appeal to all ages, whether it’s preschoolers learning about Fairy Tale Foods, Friday Fun Nights for ages 5 to 12, or afterschool programs, teacher workdays, holiday and summer camps, parents’ night out, arts & crafts, aquatics, community center classes and much more.
Orange County Parks and Recreation
(919) 245-2660
www.co.orange.nc.us/RecParks/index.htm
Orange County Parks and Recreation is not afraid of variety. Programs include beginner guitar, teen golf lessons,self-defense classes, cheerleading, lacrosse, football, flag football, softball, soccer, wrestling, basketball, summer camps, chess club, babysitting, laser tag, hiking and more. And special trips are offered throughout the year, to Charlotte Bobcat games, NC Symphony performances, Wolf Laurel for skiing and a pottery tour to the Seagrove area.
Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department
(919) 831-6640
www.raleighnc.gov
From a city as great as Raleigh, you’d expect nothing less than greatness from its Web site. Seek out the parks section online and experience what a full-service Web site can offer — whether you’re looking for information about the Neuse River Canoe Trail, environmental education at Durant Nature Park, amusements at Pullen Park, seasonal swimming pools, art centers, athletic facilities, playgrounds, lakes, greenways, trails, community centers, recreation news, registration information, class fees, anything you can imagine a Parks and Recreation Department could offer.
Rolesville Parks and Recreation
(919) 556-3506
www.ci.rolesville.nc.us
Rolesville’s Parks and Recreation captures the spirit of what a town can do with the resources it has — most of the staff are volunteers, yet Rolesville has youth sport programs, including basketball, softball and baseball, and a visionary plan for greenways and open space. A new park has an Education Arboretum Trail, and Rolesville citizens are working hard to maintain the natural character of Rolesville. Located next to Rolesville Elementary is another recreational space, the Community & Ballfield Park encompass 20 acres, featuring three ballfields.
Smithfield Parks and Recreation
(919) 934-2148
www.smithfield-nc.com
Any town sponsoring a Ham and Yam Festival, and a Hog Trot and Piglet Stampede deserves credit for great event ideas. And Smithfield, covering 11 square miles, can boast one park for each square mile. Year-round programs include soccer, T-ball, softball, baseball, football, cheerleading, swimming, summer camps and Kinder Sports for ages 3 to 5.
Wake Forest Parks and Recreation
(919) 554-6180
www.wakeforestnc.gov
Wake Forest knows how to keep its citizens engaged, active and entertained. And the Flaherty Park Community Center is a hub of this activity, with kids taking classes that include the Art of Woodcarving, Preschool and Kids Art Classes, Tiny Tots Sports Camps, Kinder Dance, Kid Chefs, Green Thumb Camp, Youth Quilting, Babysitting Boot Camp and much more. All this, in addition to baseball, basketball and softball for kids, plus a variety of community parks that feature swimming pools, playgrounds.
Wendell Parks and Recreation
(919) 366-2266
www.townofwendell.com
Whether it’s the Hurricane Baseball Camp, or the Lady Warrior Basketball Camp, Wendell Parks and Recreation is on its game. Some of the most innovative programs can come from small towns, and Wendell is a perfect example. Youth programs include Appetite for Adventure Kids Cooking Classes, which offers Tater Tots for ages 3 to 5, Banana Splits for ages 6 to 10, and Smoothies for ages 11 to 16. Wendell also offers regular fare, such as T-ball, baseball, basketball, summer camp, USA tennis and NBA 2-ball.
Zebulon Parks and Recreation
(919) 269-8265
www.ci.zebulon.nc.us
Zebulon offers many of the mainstay youth programs such as baseball, softball, T-ball and basketball, but it always offers cultural events that make a town feel like a great place to raise a family. Special events include Arts in the Park, Whitley Park Music Series, and other festivities throughout the year. Zebulon also has a variety of parks, including Little River Park that provides a wonderful setting for a relaxing picnic getaway, and Zebulon Community Park, with a tot lot, basketball courts, athletic fields, walking trails, fitness stations, and a championship disc-golf course.
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