With more than 200 parks in Raleigh, we want to shine a light on a recently completed downtown space and five more parks coming soon to the City of Oaks and beyond.
NC Freedom Park | Now open
This one-acre green space honoring Black North Carolinian heritage is grounded by its awe-inspiring Beacon of Freedom. Constructed between downtown government buildings on Wilmington Street, this is the first park in NC dedicated to commemorating the Black struggle for freedom.
Downtown Cary Park | Now open
This centrally located park has a total of seven acres and has been in the making for 20 years. The park’s ribbon cutting ceremony will feature synchronized light shows, live performances, a Bandit Flight Team flyover, and more.
This urban development is sprawling with amenities like an elevated grab-and-go cafe, The Bark Bar — an open pavilion offering beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks adjacent to the dog park — botanical gardens, artful play structures, and plenty of space to unwind.
Beech Bluff County Park | Expected completion: Spring 2024
Located on 300 acres in the southeast corner of Wake County, the $20 million project will include hiking trails, gardens, playgrounds, and teaching opportunities like a wildlife viewing platform. The space comprises several parcels of land including undeveloped forests, floodplains, wetlands, and stream channels.
Watch this video update from September.
Gipson Play Plaza | Expected completion: 2025
This 18.5-acre public space for all ages is a part of Dix Park’s Master Plan to further develop the 308-acre park. Once complete, this massive project will include a play area with a swing terrace, a sensory maze, water play mountain + an adventure playground.
There will also be attractions like works of art, fountains, and gardens. Plus, the historic House of Many Porches will be repurposed to house a cafe featuring sweet treats and healthy foods. Check out the construction live feed.
Neuse River Park | Project timeline: 2023-2029
Still in the early stages of planning, Raleigh Parks is hosting its first public Neuse River Park Master Plan meeting this Friday, Nov. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Abbotts Creek Community Center.
Help the city by providing your input on how the 84-acre site located at 12028 Falls of Neuse Rd. should be utilized.
Smoky Hollow Park | Site construction timeline: 2025-2027
Formerly Devereux Meadow Park, Smoky Hollow Park will take over the 14-acre space where the temporary Conlon Family Skatepark is located.
While the project is currently in the design phase, plans for the finished park along Capital Boulevard include a restoration of Pigeon House Branch tributary, greenspaces, pathways + plaza areas, and there will be multiple stream and wetland viewing areas.
