Parks & Rec

Come learn about what’s happening at and around Dix Park!  There are a number of projects and ongoing studies supporting the transformation of the park. Drop in to the Chapel to learn more about individual projects and chat with staff and consultants. Projects to be Showcased Include Rocky Branch Enhancement Cultural Interpretation Plan Accessibility Improvements Gipson Play Plaza Stone Houses Renovation Lake Wheeler Rd Improvements Western Blvd Bus Rapid Transit Learn more about the Dix Park Project Summit

*This meeting will take place during the Dix Park Project Summit.  The Dix Park Community Committee is an advisory committee designed to represent the diversity of the community and bring a broad range of experiences and expertise to the Dorothea Dix Park project. This committee provides guidance and recommendations to the Dix Park Leadership Committee on matters related to park development, programming, and engagement. The Dix Park Community Committee meeting will be held in-person at the Greg Poole, Jr. All Faiths Chapel at Dix Park, located at 1030 Richardson Drive, Raleigh NC 27603. View Meeting Agendas and Minutes using the City's paperless system

Raleigh Parks is hosting a public open house for the future Smoky Hollow Park. View the current plans and speak to City staff and the project team. Following this open house, Raleigh Parks will present these plans at the March 21 Parks, Recreation, and Greenways Advisory Board meeting. The open house will be at the site of the future park, 1014 N. West Street.  Please enter the site at the N. West Street entry. In case of severe weather, the open house will be held at Halifax Park Community Center, 1023 Halifax Street. As approved by the City Council in the Smoky Hollow Park Concept Plan, Smoky Hollow Park has been designed as a passive park with a restored Pigeon House Branch restoration, wetlands, pathways, gathering areas, and extensive landscape and naturalized areas. For more information on the project and engagement opportunities, please visit the Smoky Hollow Park Project page. Ages: AllCost: Free

It is back and better than ever at Forest Ridge Park! This unsanctioned, flex-start tournament highlights the park’s 18-hole disc golf course. The tournament will include both recreational and advanced player divisions. Player packs for each player and prizes for each division will be awarded to the top three players! Time: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Cost: $25 per playerRegister on RecLink

Join us in the gym for a super cool dance party the entire family will enjoy! Activities will include music, games and more! Chavis is where it is at! Ages: AllCost: Free

Join us at Moore Square for the 2024 Rootle Roadster Tour kick-off on Saturday, March 9, in downtown Raleigh. PBS North Carolina and partners will host a free block party for families outside Marbles Kids Museum. Families are invited to engage with interactive exhibits and PBS-themed activities in the Marbles courtyard and explore the community booths across the street in Moore Square. All activities in the Marbles courtyard, along Hargett Street, and in Moore Square are free to the public. Additionally, the IMAX theater at Marbles will present free screenings of the new PBS KIDS series Lyla in the Loop. Food trucks will be available for families to purchase lunch and snacks. Admission inside Marbles Kids Museum is not included. Ages: All/Family-friendlyCost: FreeDoes not include admission to Marbles Kids Museum.

Come out and celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us! We will be making crafts, going on a treasure hunt, making some fun snacks, and much more. Please pre-register so we can plan accordingly. Ages: 2-5Cost: $8 per participantRegister on RecLink

Beyond The Book Children’s Book & Art Festival is a free outdoor family celebration of community, creativity, and storytelling. Discover author and illustrator workshops, interactive performances, collaborative art installations, creative crafts, talented vendors, artisan food, and inspiring entertainment. Join us for a day immersed in stories that will spark your imagination to experience children’s literature and art in a whole new way! Beyond The Book Children’s Book & Art Festival is open to all with books & activities designed for all ages. This year's theme for Chapter 3 will be announced soon. More information to come as we confirm authors and entertainment for 2024. This event is free and open to the public.  For questions or more information, please call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Age: All Cost: Free

oin us at Tarboro Road Community Center! We will have a morning of St Patrick's Day-themed crafts, music, and an epic glow-in-the-dark dance party! It is a perfect place to bond with your little one, and we will provide all the materials! We look forward to seeing you! Date: Saturday, March 16Time: 10 - 11 a.m.Ages: 2-10Cost: FreeRegister on RecLink

Explore Raleigh’s past, present, and future of sports on the Historic Raleigh Trolley! From horse racing to hockey, this tour will feature sports both professional and amateur as it visits locations still active and those long forgotten. For questions or more information, please call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Times: 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.Ages: AllCost: $12

Hop Out to Abbotts Creek and Meet the Bunny. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in games and crafts. After making your way through the crafts and games, stop for a picture with the bunny and pick up a plush egg from the egg patch. Due to the limited number of crafts and prizes pre-registration is required for each participant. Ages: 0-6Cost: FreeRegister on RecLink

National Teen Day is a day to celebrate teens for who they are and the positive contributions they make to our community and world. Come join us on this day as we provide teens with an environment of affirmation and celebration. Ages 12-17 (middle to high school) are invited to attend. This event will feature fun outdoor games, food, music, video games and a climbing wall. Come and join the fun! Ages: 12-17 (middle to high school)Cost: Free

Hop on out to our preschool egg hunt! We will have games, crafts, and special characters to help us celebrate! The egg hunt will be at 11 a.m. for the 0 to 2-year-olds and 11:15 a.m. for the 3 to 5-year-olds. Please pre-register each child who plans to participate and bring a basket or bag for the hunt. Who else is egg-cited? Ages: 0-5Cost: FreeRegister on RecLink

Groove on over to John Chavis Memorial Park to participate in an outta sight adult egg hunt with Hot 97.9FM on the turntable! You’ll really dig the games, music, photo ops, and of course, an egg hunt. Flower power is the vibe, so come dressed in your most primo threads for a chance to win a special prize! Food trucks and alcohol (no hard liquor) will be available for purchase. Please note, the egg hunt is for the first 100 people registered. The hunt starts at 8:15 p.m. and participants must check in by 8 p.m. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. You’ll be bummed if you miss out on this egg-citing event! Ages: 21 - 99Cost: FreeRegister on RecLink

Ages: 12 and youngerCost: FreeLearn more about Kiwanis Park Egg Hunt

Join us at Mordecai Historic Park for a fun-filled morning hunting for eggs! Egg hunts begin at 2 p.m. for age groups 0-4, 5-9, and 10+. Come before and stay after for crafts, games, and more. This is a free event and registration is not required. Ages: AllCost: Free

Ages: Ages 12 and youngerCost: FreeLearn more about Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

Ages: Ages 12 and youngerCost: FreeLearn more about the Biltmore Hills Egg Hunt

Let's add a fun spin on egg-hunt-themed events with a Teen Glow Egg Hunt. We will have egg-citing games and activities that include glow min-it to win it, challenges, pre-stuffed eggs, snacks, prizes and more. Ages: 12-18Cost: FreeRegister on RecLink

Come down to the museum during Raleigh’s First Friday city-wide event! We will be showing a vintage baseball game on our projector screens, serving snacks and creating baseball crafts! Ages: AllCost: Free

Inspired by the sport of quidditch, Quadball, combines physical activity with fun! Participants will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game, communication, and the importance of teambuilding from NCSU and UNC’s most experienced players. Participants will make their own brooms and run through interactive drills. We will finish out the day putting our newfound skills to use playing a match. T-shirt, broom, and small snacks are included in the registration fee. Don't forget your water! Ages: 10-13Cost: $31 Resident/$46 Non-ResidentRegister on RecLink