Parks & Rec

Join us for our first-ever Signing Day Event! Kick off our winter youth basketball registration on Saturday, Oct. 7 for a drop-in event at Lions Park Community Center from 10 a.m. to noon. Athletes can have their photo taken in front of our banner as they show their intent to play this winter! There will also be a basketball skills competition, games, a raffle and food trucks. Financial assistance will be present to approve and register participants on site, Raleigh Parks will be advertising current job openings and former NBA player and head coach Nate McMillan will come to address participants and parents at 11 a.m. Hope to see you there and in the upcoming season!

Learn how seeds make things grow and dive into a gooey pumpkin to explore its seeds. Participants will decorate and take home a pumpkin of their own Ages: 7 - 10 Cost: $5 Advance registration is required. Adult(s) must accompany participant(s). Adult(s) attend free and do not need to register. Register on RecLink

Please join us for the Halloween edition of Sensory Friendly Sunday! Costumes are welcome for our spooky spectacular and will include arts & crafts, music & movement, choice activities, chill zone, an indoor playground, and much more. This event will offer accessible accommodations for individuals with sensory sensitivities and neurodiverse individuals. The center will provide an accepting and inclusive environment, modifications to sound and lighting, noise-canceling headsets, and a quiet area. The playground will be open during non-operating hours to limit capacity and create a more controlled environment to reduce overstimulation. Pre-registration is encouraged. This is a floating/drop-in event; families can come/leave at any time during the event.

Did you know that spending time in parks can have a positive impact on your mental health? This is why we’ve partnered with the Trust for Public Land’s 10-Minute Walk program to increase park access for everyone. We invite you to explore your neighborhood park on Tuesday, Oct. 10 to commemorate #WalkToAParkDay and #WorldMentalHealthDay. The Trust for Public Land’s 10-Minute Walk program currently works with over 300 mayors and city leaders across 48 states to close the park equity gap and address cities’ pressing needs around health, resilience, environmental protection, economic development, and community building through parks. The City of Raleigh has been chosen to participate in the 10-Minute Walk Park Equity Accelerator Cohort. The Accelerator will direct resources and provide technical assistance on solving park equity problems through policy change and innovation, with the support of the Trust for Public Land, cross-sector partners, and other experts in the field of park equity. Ages: AllCost: Free

Lake Wheeler Park will be providing a nature-inspired craft for kids at our Magnolia Shelter!

Join fellow community members to relax, play games, socialize, and pick up free produce at Marsh Creek Community Center on October 13! All activities will be free of charge, and participants can feel free to attend for any portion of the scheduled time. Interested in attending solo? Don’t worry – all activities can be self-directed and as interactive as you’d like them to be. We hope to see you there! Age: AllCost: Free

Join fellow community members for a special outdoor screening of The Sandlot at Buffaloe Road Athletic Park. Bring your own snacks, chairs, picnic blankets, etc. – all ages are welcome. Ages: AllCost: Free

Yucky, super gross, slimy, sticky, stinky science! This STEM program will bring out your inner mad scientist with hands-on experiments and fun for all. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Help the bat conservation effort by painting and taking home your very own bat house! After enjoying time to paint your custom bat house, we will take a short walk around Lake Wheeler Park to listen for bat calls. We may get lucky and see one flying overhead! his event requires pre-registration, so sign-up today to reserve your spot!

Why do leaves change color? Come find out in this fun-filled program. Participants will learn about leaves while participating in leaf-themed activities. We will even perform a science experiment to see what pigments leaves have. Ages: 7 - 10Cost: $4Advance registration is required. Adult(s) must accompany participant(s). Adult(s) attend free and do not need to register.Register on RecLink