Support Us Button Widget

2 Wake County parks approved for major renovations

Park it for the latest news and upgrades planned for parks around Raleigh.

Modern lakeside pavilion with minimalist design and wooden exterior surrounded by lush trees. Silhouetted figures relax nearby, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Keep this news in mind for your future play dates.

Rendering via Wake County

Table of Contents

Wake County commissioners aren’t playing around after confirming construction contracts for renovations at Harris Lake + Blue Jay Point County Parks.

Funded through the 2018 Parks, Greenways, Recreation, and Open Space bond — let’s take a look at the master plans.

Harris Lake County Park

Improvements at New Hill’s 680-acre park will be guided by a master plan adopted in 2017 + has a total price tag of $5.2 million. When complete, the site will have:

  • A nine-hole disc golf course with accessible tee pad
  • Covered canoe storage + a fishing platform with pond access
  • An accessible kayak launch area to support small non-motorized boats
  • Amenities like new restrooms, a picnic shelter + increased parking with food truck spaces
  • Art activation installed by artist Virginia Kistler

The park office will also get an upgrade including classroom space dedicated for educational programs.

A boy kneels by a pond, using a net to explore the water. He wears a jacket, conveying curiosity. Other children gather around, engaging in nature activities.

Walkways will connect classrooms in the center to the Educational Pond for outdoor learning.

Photo via Wake County

Blue Jay Point County Park

In a $7.3 million project, plans focus on making this Oak City park more modern + enhancing accessibility and the overall experience. Get ready for:

  • A new shelter, shade sail structures + expansions at the nature playground
  • 30 more parking spaces with a designated drop-off area by the picnic area
  • Expansions at Park Center + a new Educational Pond (with accessible areas, connecting walkways, and garden enhancements)
  • More connections throughout the park + improvements on existing trails
  • Art installations created by ecological sculptor Colin Selig

There will also be more parking in the overflow lot for Go Ape Zipline Park.

For both parks, construction is slated to begin this fall + be completed by fall of 2026.

More from RALtoday
Sponsored
Raleigh restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, mimosas, and other brunch favorites you want to eat.
For the first time since 1990, you can back the Pack in the NCAA men’s soccer finals — and it’s all happening in Cary.
If you’re a fan of real trees over artificial, this list is for you. We’re highlighting 10 local spots to pick up Christmas trees in Raleigh, including home delivery options, pre-flocked trees, and NC-famous Fraser firs.
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
Hi Raleighite. It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
A grassroots effort is helping central NC properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
All-you-can-eat restaurants are trending right now, and for good reason. Explore some of Raleigh’s best restaurants where you can enjoy as much as you’d like without the extra markup.
Read on to find out what’s next for your Tobacco Road college football team, including a chance at a conference championship, trips to Brazil, and another chance for Bill Belichick.