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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

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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.

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