Annual Report Raleigh Parks 2024 2025
Message from the Director
I am excited to share our 2024-2025 Annual Report. Each year, I look forward to reflecting on how our Department continues to enhance the lives of residents and visitors through exceptional parks, programs, and places. This report highlights the progress we have made and reaffirms our commitment to excellence in everything we do.
This fiscal year brought major milestones. Raleigh Parks is working toward accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), an achievement held by less than one percent of the 20,000 public parks and recreation agencies across the country. We are proud to be on this path, aiming not only to meet but exceed national best practices. Another significant achievement is the official launch of all projects funded by the 2022 bond referendum, including the opening of the Gipson Play Plaza. This vibrant new space represents a significant step forward for Dix Park and for Raleigh as we continue to shape a destination filled with welcoming gathering areas, dynamic play spaces, and inspiring public art. I want to thank the Dix Park Conservancy and all our partners for their ongoing collaboration and passion.
In closing, I want to express my deepest thanks to the Raleigh City Council, the City Manager’s Office, and our dedicated board and commission members for their continued support and investment in our shared vision. I am especially grateful for our incredible Raleigh Parks staff and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure our community has access to excellent facilities, activities, and programs.
Sincerely,
Stephen C. Bentley, Director Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department
Health & Wellness
Edible Landscaping
Since 2022, Marsh Creek Park has grown two orchards and provided accessible edible landscaping options for the community. The orchards and edible landscaping locations include a variety of fruit and nut trees, blueberries, and blackberries. Each March, Marsh Creek also teaches a class on how to create an edible landscape of plants at home.
Food Forests
Walnut Creek Wetland Park completed the second installation of its public orchard in spring 2024. Twenty-five volunteers and staff planted blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, and fig trees along the Little Rock Greenways. Interpretive signage, in both English and Spanish, was also created to educate parkgoers about food deserts and sustainability practices.
4 Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Live Healthy Grocery Tours
Live Healthy Grocery Tours helped participants learn how to make heart-healthy choices while shopping. The Health and Wellness team partnered with Lidl and Walmart Supercenter to host two in-person tours during Heart Health Month. Registered dietitians from WakeMed Hospital and the Poe Health Education Center taught 25 participants how to read nutrition labels, choose healthy foods, and shop on a budget.
Health and Wellness Day
John Chavis Memorial Park teamed up with the Raleigh Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to host a Health and Wellness Day. The event included fun activities for kids and helpful tips shared about mental and physical health.
Wake County Senior Games
The Wake County Senior Games celebrated healthy living and fun competition for adults ages 50 and up. 557 older adults stayed active by joining events like track and field, pickleball, and swimming. Over 80 volunteers contributed more than 120 hours of service.
Social Cohesion & Collaboration
Black History Month Celebration Events
John Chavis Memorial Park partnered with the Raleigh Night Market to host the Black-Owned Business Pop-Up Market. Visitors celebrated local Black-owned businesses by shopping for items such as beauty products, jewelry, candles, and baked goods.
The pop-up Museum of African American History and Culture showcased the rich history of Southeast Raleigh and John Chavis Memorial Park’s important role in the community. Visitors walked through exhibits full of photos and signs from community events and the facility’s historic carousel.
Financial Assistance Program
The Play It Forward Financial Assistance Program provided over $108,000 in fee assistance and free programming opportunities to over 1,400 participants and 600 households. Give Play, in partnership with the City of Oaks Foundation, will allow 64 children to attend one free week of camp in summer 2025.
Career Exploration Day
Raleigh Parks, Solid Waste Services, Water Management, and Engineering Services collaborated with Central Wake High School to host a Career Exploration Day. Staff introduced students to a wide range of career opportunities across the City, including typical day-to-day responsibilities.
Photo Credit: Gustavo Soto
Raleigh Tamale Festival
Raleigh Tamale returned to Moore Square with over 3,500 in attendance. Competitors shared delicious recipes and cultural traditions while battling to be crowned the winner of the tamale-tasting competition.
Business Bloom Program
Business Bloom is a multi-week entrepreneurship program designed to support participants to start their own businesses. The program welcomed participants from 12 countries and connected them with mentors from across the Triangle. Participants built professional connections and brainstormed business ideas. Business Bloom concluded with a pitch day during Global Entrepreneurship Week, where several participants received funding to help launch their businesses.
Youth Music Day
Día del Niño is a Mexican holiday held in April to celebrate children with fun and joyful activities. The City of Raleigh partnered with the Consulate General of Mexico and La Ley 101.1 FM to host this year’s event. Highlights included the Triangle Music Education Consortium’s Youth Music Day, featuring over eight performances by young musicians and a special set with mariachi band Viva México. Families gathered to enjoy a day full of music, play, and community.
Photo Credit: Gustavo Soto
Conservation
Bee City USA Low Mow
The City of Raleigh became an official member of Bee City USA in 2017. Raleigh Parks commits to conserve native pollinators by intentionally planting pollinator-friendly vegetation and participating in “Low Mow Spring.” Each spring, crews allow over 150 acres of lawns and turf to grow for a longer period. This gives wildflowers time to bloom and provides valuable nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies.
Leaf Out Initiative
Leaf Out is a strategic initiative focused on the protection, expansion, and care of Raleigh’s public tree canopy. Multiple City departments, including Raleigh Stormwater, Sustainability, and Water, conducted community surveys and focus groups to identify top priorities for trees and ecosystems on City-owned properties.
Neighborhood Ecology Corps (NEC)
The Neighborhood Ecology Corps (NEC) is a threeyear, no-cost environmental program for students in grades 6-10. The program provides hands-on experiences for young people to learn about environmental science and how to be active, engaged community members. 23 students participated in 100 hours of programming, including 12 field trips.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Program
The Stormwater and Parks Maintenance and Natural Resources Divisions collaborated to launch the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance program. This program will take care of over 120 green stormwater infrastructure sites on City-owned land to improve water quality, support wildlife, and involve the community.
Historic Resources and Museum Conservation Program
The HRM Program conserves artifacts for future generations by coming up with unique ways to prevent further breakdown. This year, many items were identified for conservation, including a jacket linked to Andrew Johnson from the 1830s and custom-made curtains, which now protects artifacts from sunlight damage in the Mordecai House.
Strategic Partnerships & Community Outreach
PBS Rootle Roadster Tour and Moore Square Music Garden
Raleigh Parks partnered with PBS North Carolina, Marbles Kids Museum, and PBS Kids to host the PBS Rootle Roadster Tour in May 2025. Moore Square welcomed more than 2,000 visitors for a day of educational play, music, and family fun.
Raleigh Parks also partnered with the Rotary Club of Raleigh, Friends of Moore Square, and Downtown Raleigh Alliance to showcase Moore Square’s new music garden. The space invites people of all ages to explore sound in an interactive way.
Holly Jolly Adult Prom
The Holly Jolly Raleigh Adult Winter Prom provided an evening full of dancing, delicious eats, and crowning of prom royalty. All proceeds from the 121 tickets sold were donated to the Play It Forward Financial Assistance Program, which provides affordable and accessible programs to the community.
Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening
Dix Park welcomed over 40,000 visitors during the three-day Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening celebration. The new space is now the largest adventure playground in the Southeast, offering 18.5 acres of water features, gathering spaces, gardens, and over 1,000 trees and 110,000 plants. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from City leaders and Dix Park Conservancy members, honoring years of planning and collaboration.
Collegiate Rowing Efforts
The Lake Wheeler Invitational is sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance and UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University women’s rowing programs.
18 collegiate teams from Boston College, Boston University, Bucknell, Clemson, Columbia, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Jacksonville University, Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Navy, Tulsa, Rhode Island, Virginia, and
Washington State traveled to Raleigh to compete in April. The two-day event was attended by over 4,000 spectators and generated over $500,000 in economic impact for Wake County.
Grants
Raleigh Parks applied for 17 grants from partners such as the National Recreation and Park Association, Trust for Public Land, NC Amateur Sports, the United States Tennis Association, and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation. We recently secured a $50,000 grant from the NC Department of Environmental Quality for a stormwater drainage study at Lake Wheeler Park.
Raleigh Arts managed $2.94 million in annual grant awards and multi-year funding lease agreements. Arts additionally provided programming such as the Learning Community for Universal Access in the Arts, which supported 11 members from various arts and cultural organizations.
City of Oaks Foundation
The City of Oaks Foundation continues to work closely with Raleigh Parks to promote and partner on various programs and initiatives. The foundation has helped reduce financial barriers by providing fee assistance for programs like Play it Forward and Give Play, as well as partnering with groups like the Roots2STEM Program and Neighborhood Ecology Corps (NEC.)
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Petals in the Parks Campaign
In May/June 2025, Petals in the Parks celebrated the vibrant blooms that bring Raleigh’s parks to life each spring. Signs were placed at special locations where visitors could find marketing ambassadors, take instant photos in a life-sized photo frame, and participate in special giveaways. Over 136 park and greenway visitors submitted photos with their favorite petals for a chance to win a private behind-the-scenes greenhouse tour.
Treasure Our Trails Greenway Safety Campaign
On Talk Like a Pirate Day in September 2024, greenway safety rules and etiquette were shared with parkgoers in a fun way on signs in “pirate speak” along some of Raleigh’s most popular greenways. A sign at each location provided a link to “treasure” where participants could receive a promo code to use when registering for any future Raleigh Parks program. Marketing ambassadors joined in on the fun by handing out information and gold coins to greenway visitors.
Rec’d Out Mobile Recreation Unit
The Rec’d Out Mobile Recreation Unit is a 24-foot rolling recreation vehicle that features seven video game consoles, two outdoor TVs, five indoor TVs, and a basketball court. Since February 2025, the MRU has brought fun on-the-go to 1,450 residents across locations such as Dix Park, the St. Monica Teen Center, Laurel Hills Park, Lyons Park, Jaycee Park, and the Lenovo Center.
Arts Cultural Programming & Partnerships
Public Art
Raleigh’s public art program supports creation and participation in public art. Raleigh Arts currently manages major permanent public art projects in partnership with groups such as the Raleigh Department of Transportation (RDOT) and Dix Park Conservancy.
Chalk Murals
Pullen Arts Center continues to celebrate creativity with a rotating chalk mural series, which showcases the talents of local artists. Each mural is on display for several months and reflects each artist’s personal story and culture.
Artist Residencies
The City of Raleigh’s artist residency and fellowship programs support local creatives and improve public spaces.
• Katie Stewart, the Wayfinding Artistin-Residence, collaborated with Raleigh Transportation to design creative signage.
• David Wilson and R. Stein Wexler partnered to integrate public art into different Bus Rapid Transit corridors.
• The Dix Park and the Nature Preserves groups welcomed Scott Hazard, the first Nature Preserves Artist-in-Residence, and Preston Montague, the first Dix Park Artist-in-Residence.
• Documentarians in Residence, Juli Leonard and Johnny Andrews, showcased local voices through the Creating Living Archives project.
International Children’s Day
The Historic Resources and Museums Department partnered with the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum and Artist Studio Project Publishing to celebrate the third annual International Children’s Day. Children’s book authors, dancers, singers, and puppeteers provided entertainment for all.
Artival
As part of the Juneteenth Jubilee series, John Chavis Memorial Park hosted Artival. Local artists shared their work in a colorful art show, and participants enjoyed creating their own art during a fun workshop.
Educational Programs
The Historic Resources and Museums (HRM) Program offers educational field trips to help local students explore the unique history of Raleigh. Field trips such as “City Planners” encourage students to be creative and design their own city, giving them a better understanding of what it takes to make a city like Raleigh function.
Mordecai Trolley Tours and Field Trips
Mordecai Historic Park has welcomed thousands of students, community members, and tourists since opening in 1972. Since 2024, over 10,000 visitors have participated in school field trip programs, trolley tours, and house and grounds tours. Programs and tours offer a broad story of downtown Raleigh while exploring stories and themes of the past and present.
Arts Programming
Pullen Arts Center offered 340 classes for 2,871 student artists, while Sertoma Arts Center offered 322 classes for 2,990 student artists.
The Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers hosted 17 exhibitions that featured the work of 171 local artists. In the studio, they completed 1,170 electric firings, 27 gas firings, and produced 102,606 ceramic pots using around 79,450 pounds of clay
RALEIGH
PARKS
SPECIAL EVENTS
Holiday Express
Holiday Express served over 35,000 guests this past December. This year’s event featured a new enchanted elevator ride and multi-sensory virtual experience that transported guests from Pullen Park to the North Pole. Holiday Express even came in second place by voters as local television station WRAL’s best family-friendly event.
Dreamville
Over 100,000 attendees from all 50 states and multiple countries gathered April 5-6 for this year’s festivities at Dix Park. Dreamville has had a significant economic impact on the region, energizing local businesses and showcasing Raleigh on a global stage. The event’s organizers and the City of Raleigh also announced plans for a new music festival to continue the tradition of bringing world-class live music experiences to Dix Park.
Family Sneaker Ball
Families across Raleigh enjoyed a night of games, dancing, and fashion at Sneaker Ball, hosted by Green Road Community Center. Attendees got to show off their sneaker game and pose for photos as they walked across the special purple carpet.
Photo Credit: Dreamville Festival, The Parallel Agency, and Brandon Todd
Investing in the Community
Bond Project Efforts
The 2022 Parks Bond funds projects that provide parks and recreation opportunities for residents. All projects are currently underway in various stages, from planning to construction. Gipson Play Plaza is the first major project to reach completion.
River Cane Wetland Park is currently in the Design Development phase and is anticipated to open in 2028. Park plans include trails, a boardwalk, food forest, half basketball court, and play areas. The future 27.25-acre property is located along the Beaverdam Creek Greenway Corridor, off Kyle Drive.
Erinsbrook Park will include a playground, dog run, and trail system with boardwalks throughout wooded areas. Design and permitting work will continue through 2026, and the park opening is scheduled for summer 2028.
• The Crabtree Creek West Greenway Trail officially opened in September 2024. This two-mile addition completes the 17-mile Crabtree Creek Trail corridor. Key features include five pedestrian bridges, which connect neighborhoods like Oak Park and Laurel Hills. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees got to explore the trail by bicycle.
Penny for Parks
The City continues its commitment to the funding of the penny tax towards park maintenance needs. Since 2023, this funding source has grown from $7.8 million to now over $11 million.
Forestville Road Park
The Forestville Road Park master planning process began in early 2025. This 25-acre property, located in Northeast Raleigh, will offer unique historic and ecological resources and serve as a place for exploration, nature, and play.
By the Numbers
BUDGET
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$27,939,186
n
$26,471,167
n
$12,982,133
n
$6,264,612
Our Raleigh Parks online social media community has grown to:
19,012 X Followers
22,000 Facebook Followers
445 Pinterest Followers
837 YouTube Subscribers
27,600 Instagram Followers
72,369 GovDelivery Subscribers
Our Dix Park online social media community has grown to:
5,005 X Followers
14,089 Facebook Followers
41,049 Instagram Followers
543 YouTube Subscribers
35,228 Newsletter Subscribers
Join the Conversation
Have a question about the parks? Ask us. Have a shoutout about something fun in the parks? Tell us.
Facebook.com/raleighparks
X.com/raleighparks
Pinterest.com/raleighparks
Instagram.com/raleighparks
Our Raleigh Arts online social media community has grown to:
4,760 X Followers
8,179 Facebook Followers
11,648 Instagram Followers
17,834 Newsletter Subscribers
Get Connected with Raleigh Parks
Raleigh Parks, Arts, and Dix Park embrace social media to keep community members engaged and to help us stay informed about what matters to them. We look at social media as a customer service tool, allowing us to interact with citizens, receive feedback, and share information.
Capital Area Greenway Explorer App
The Capital Area Greenway Explorer helps people find nearby trailheads, restrooms, and parking along Raleigh’s greenways. The GIS team, in collaboration with Raleigh Impact Lab in the Office of Strategy and Innovation, developed the web-based map. Users can check for trail closures and report issues using quick links in the app, making it easier for everyone to enjoy and explore the greenway system.
Raleigh Parks Podcast
The Raleigh Parks Podcast continued to grow in its second season, offering listeners a dynamic and engaging way to explore the many programs, places, and people that make our parks system special. New episodes highlighted a wide range of topics, including aquatics, summer camps, arts programming, athletics, and the Raleigh Parks greenhouse. The podcast provides behind-the-scenes stories and insights that showcase the impact of Raleigh Parks across the community, from curious residents to loyal park-goers.
Boards & Commissions
PARKS, RECREATION & GREENWAY
ADVISORY BOARD
Chris Pereira, Chair
Jeff Havener, Liaison
Steve Brechbiel
Iain Burnett
Kate Dixon
Bob Edgerton
Gregory Etheridge
Daniel Gilligan
Carrie Hasbrouck
Jack Hilton
Douglas Johnston
April Love
Stephen McGuinness
Linda Pearsall
Kara Strang
ARTS COMMISSION
Mary Silver, Chair
Toni Gadsden, Vice-Chair
Aurelia Belfield
Jay Campbell
Ledarius Hicks
Juan Isler
Eliza Kiser
Clodagh Lyons-Bastion
Jessica Todd-Marrone
Greg Whitt
Carl Wilkins
The Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Awards was organized by the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board. 14 individual and group volunteers were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Raleigh Parks.
HISTORIC RESOURCES & MUSEUM PROGRAM
ADVISORY BOARD
Audrey Morgan, Chair
Jenny Harper, Vice-Chair
Elizabeth Caliendo
Wanda Cox-Bailey
Dana Deaton
Ajamu Dillahunt-Holloway
Jane Forde
Clarissa Goodlett
Emily Grant
John Hinshaw
Dr. Lucinda Mackethan
Jennifer Wagner
CITY OF RALEIGH HISTORIC CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD
Amy Fix, Chair
Michael Dunn, Vice-Chair
Connie Crumpler
Chantelle Miles
Keith Pakela
Caleb Smith
PUBLIC ART & DESIGN BOARD
Phillip Jefferson, Chair
Jane Cheek, Vice Chair
Vershae Hite
Annah Lee
Andrés Tellez
Jackie Turner
DIX PARK LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE
Mayor Janet Cowell, Chair
Bill Ross, Vice-Chair
Mitchell Silver
Marchell Adams-David
Stephen C. Bentley
Jim Goodmon
Chris Herndon
Alicia Knight
Nancy McFarlane
Carlton Midyette
Chris Pereira
David Smith
