Parks & Rec

The Lunchbox Lecture scheduled for tomorrow - Thursday, Feb. 20 - has been postponed due to inclement weather. That talk by Wanda Cox-Bailey will take place next Thursday, Feb. 27, barring any other unforeseen issues!!! Please see this link for details: https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/events/lunchbox-lecture-wanda-cox-bailey Feed your belly and your brain. Bring your lunch and listen to a lecture! Every month will be a new topic. Lectures will run 30-40 minutes and begin shortly after noon to give people time to get settled. We can't wait for you to join us! Wanda Cox-Bailey, a retired librarian and president of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Triangle Chapter, is dedicated to preserving the memories and oral histories of the Southeast community. With over 30 years in Black children's literature, she emphasizes the need for Black children to see themselves in the books they read. Wanda is committed to preserving the culture and history of Raleigh’s disappearing African American neighborhoods, believing that sharing this history through quality children's books benefits everyone. Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: All Cost: Free

All for one and One for all! Superheroes come in all hues and have incredible abilities! Join Grady Bussey, an African American historian and the Vice Chair of the Friends of the City of Raleigh Museum, for a discussion on the history of African American superheroes in comics and films. Learn the history of African American comic book superheroes from then and now. Participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero! Location: John P. "Top" Green Community Center Age: All Ages Cost: Free No Registration Required

Don’t miss the City of Raleigh Museum's annual Animal Adoption Day! This is your chance to meet adorable pets seeking forever homes and engage with dedicated local adoption agencies. Come experience the love and connection that awaits—you might just find your perfect companion! Meet pets from Safe Haven for Cats, Neshama Animal Rescue, and Perfectly Imperfect Pups! Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: All Cost: Free

Join the Historic Raleigh Trolley for this special edition of our popular Black history tour highlighting Oberlin Village. Tours will begin at Mordecai Historic Park and travel to Oberlin, where passengers will disembark for a tour of the Historic Turner House and Oberlin Cemetery and learn about the neighborhood’s history of community and freedom. Tours will be Sunday, March 2, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Each tour will be an hour and a half long. Registration is $15 and can be purchased online using RecLink. For more information, please call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Ages: All Cost: $15 Get Tickets on RecLink

The John P. “Top” Greene Community Center is thrilled to announce the upcoming Senior Resource Fair, an event dedicated to empowering older adults with valuable information, resources, and opportunities for engagement. This event will bring together a variety of local organizations, service providers, and community leaders who specialize in serving the needs of seniors. Attendees can explore resources related to healthcare, wellness, technology, and nutrition—all designed to support an active and fulfilling lifestyle. Event Highlights Include: Food Demonstrations and Nutritional Advice: Learn how to prepare healthy, delicious meals and gain tips for balanced nutrition.  Senior Primary Care Advisory: Expert guidance on managing chronic conditions and navigating healthcare options. Health Benefits Specialist: Assistance in understanding and maximizing health benefits. Senior Technology Seminar: Learn how to use smartphones, tablets, and other technologies to stay connected and informed. Community Connections: Opportunities to network with local support groups and senior-focused organizations. The Senior Resource Fair ensures that older adults in our community have access to the tools and knowledge they need to thrive! We invite all seniors, their families, and caregivers to join us for this enriching and supportive event. This free event is open to the public, and no prior registration is required. […]

Join us for “Buildings Day”! Collage your dream home, create a city, and follow a map through our exhibit to learn about cool Raleigh buildings! Join us for a day filled with excitement and make lasting memories. Ages 1-10 welcome! Location: City of Raleigh Museum Ages: 1 -10 Cost: Free

Want to learn more about City services without the hassle of traveling downtown? Now you can! Raleigh's Community Engagement Team is visiting neighborhoods across the city, bringing resources directly to residents. Residents will have the opportunity to: Learn about projects impacting your community; Sign up for activities and classes, including our FREE English Language programs; Get assistance navigating our website and services; and, Much more!

Join us for a whimsical world of fun at Away with the Fairies! Shop for treasures at enchanting vendors and explore a garden where fairies frequent. You can make magical crafts and even meet some playful fairies. Watch performers bring stories to life with interactive shows. Bring the children in your life to celebrate a day filled with imagination, creativity, great food, and fun. Come dressed as your favorite wizard, pixie, or elf. All magical creatures are welcome at this free family-friendly festival! For questions or more information, please call the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center at 919-996-4364. Presented in collaboration with Paper & Stars Studio. Location: Mordecai Historic Park Ages: All Cost: Free

Join the City of Raleigh Public Art team in celebrating the public art coming to Atlantic Ave and Green Road Park! All ages  welcome! Learn more about Public Art at Atlantic Avenue. Learn more about Public Art at Green Road Park. Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Location: Brentwood Park Picnic Shelter Ages: All Cost: Free

Want to learn more about City services without the hassle of traveling downtown? Now you can! Raleigh's Community Engagement Team is visiting neighborhoods across the city, bringing resources directly to residents. Residents will have the opportunity to: Learn about projects impacting your community; Sign up for activities and classes, including our FREE English Language programs; Get assistance navigating our website and services; and, Much more!

Feed your belly and your brain. Bring your lunch and listen to a lecture! Feed your belly and your brain! Bring your lunch to the City of Raleigh Museum and listen to a captivating lecture every third Thursday of the month. This month, we welcome Raleigh Garden Club member Erica Winston. Her talk will be on Women-owned green businesses of the early 20th century. This lecture delves into how the emergence of garden clubs during this era fostered a "shadow economy," enabling many families to navigate the challenges of the Great Depression. Discover how these clubs not only provided financial support but also offered women a platform to showcase their talents and gain recognition. Ages: All Cost: Free

Join us at Lake Johnson Park to Celebrate World Water Day 2025! Raleigh Parks is partnering with NC State University to bring you Trailside Science: Celebrating  World Water Day. Together, we will explore water quality, algae blooms and ecosystem health. What is World Water Day? World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance, focusing on the importance of freshwater and inspiring action to tackle the global water challenges. About the Event Jump into an exciting water-filled adventure! Discover how water quality, algae, and algae blooms affect pets, wildlife, and humans! Learn through fun, hands-on citizen science activities with experts and partner organizations. This trailside event is perfect for curious minds of all ages who want to learn how water connects and sustains life! No advanced registration is required. Event Details Location: Lake Johnson Park Waterfront Program Center Ages: All Cost: Free

Join the City of Raleigh Stormwater team to learn more about how art and nature connect in our community at Lions Park. Create your own colorful paper mosaic inspired by native animal and plant species. This family-friendly, hands-on workshop is perfect for beginners and guided by a local artist, Jeannette Brossart, who will share tips and techniques to help you craft a take-home masterpiece featuring the Neuse River Waterdog, Box Turtle, or Leopard Frog. Use vibrant paper shapes to bring your design to life. All ages and skill levels welcome! Learn more about Public Art at Lions Park Community Center. Learn more about Lions Park Green Stormwater Infrastructure Installation Project. Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  Location: Lions Park Community Center Ages: All Cost: Free

Want to learn more about City services without the hassle of traveling downtown? Now you can! Raleigh's Community Engagement Team is visiting neighborhoods across the city, bringing resources directly to residents. Residents will have the opportunity to: Learn about projects impacting your community; Sign up for activities and classes, including our FREE English Language programs; Get assistance navigating our website and services; and, Much more!

Hop on out to our preschool egg hunt! We will have games, crafts, and special characters to help us celebrate! Sunny the Fun Fairy will be there to fly, dance, and take photos with everyone. She will also be having a special story time at 10:45 a.m. The egg hunt will be at 11 a.m. for the 0-2-year-olds and 11:15 a.m. for the 3-5-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?! Location: Pullen Community Center Ages: 0-5 Cost: Free Register on RecLink

It's the most daring competition ever attempted, teams bound by friendship, love, or family, will race around the entirety of Pullen Park. They have no idea where they're going, what dangers they may encounter, or how the journey will affect their lives. But the team that collects the most points within an hour, will win a special prize. This is a race like no other in history. This… is the Egg-Mazing Race! Teams will be made up of 2 people. Please register each person for the team. Please note this event will require a good amount of physical activity. Location: Pullen Community Center Ages: 18 and up Cost: Free Register on RecLink

If you're looking for a place to hang out with your friends for the night, Green Road's Teen Hang Night is the place to be. The night will be filled with lots of free fun, which consists of making Tik Tok videos, video game competitions, basketball games, DJ, and other activities. Bring a friend to come have a great time! Location: Green Road Community Center Ages: 12-17 Cost: Free Register on RecLink

Explore the stories of the women of Mordecai Historic Park during this special event! Take a themed park tour, drop in for craft demonstrations by the Tri-Tatters, and enjoy hearth cooking in our historic kitchen. Try historic yard games and a Hands-on History craft, or hop on the Historic Raleigh Trolley for a special women’s history tour of downtown. Also come by the Visitor's Center to listen to a lecture by John Millhauser about the many people who've called this area in and around the park home. Park and trolley tours are ticketed; all other activities are free. Purchase tickets at the Mordecai Historic Park Visitor Center or online at RecLink (trolley only). For more information, please call 919-996-4364. Age: All House and Grounds Tours Cost: $7 Adults / $4 Seniors and Children Trolley Tickets Cost: $12 Park and trolley tours are ticketed; other activities are free. Get Trolley Ticket on RecLink

Join us for a free outdoor screening of “A League of Their Own” (1992) at the Fletcher Park amphitheater. Celebrate Women’s History Month by viewing this film about the first women’s professional baseball league, set during World War II. Bring your friends, lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy while watching. The movie will start at 7:30 p.m. Location: Fred Fletcher Park Ages: All Cost: Free