The Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park is, as my friend Mark Turner aptly put it, a park that’s as big as its name. Through Dr. Annie’s foresight and the hard work of her family, friends and Raleigh Parks and Rec staff, Raleigh’s first nature preserve park is a peaceful memorial to a neighborhood hero. Continue reading “Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park”
Author: Scott Reston
2011 Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer Awards
Each spring, Raleigh’s Parks & Recreation Department celebrates the awesome volunteers that are so important to the success of our parks, community centers and greenways. The awards honor the memory of Fred Fletcher, Sr., who gave 54 years of service to our city’s Parks & Recreation department. This years awards were presented at the Fletcher Opera Theater on May 12th. Below is content from the 2011 awards program. All photos and content courtesy of Raleigh Parks & Recreation.
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Mordecai Historic Park
The Mordecai Historic Park is a village-like collection of historic buildings near Oakwood centered around the Mordecai House, Raleigh’s oldest residence on it’s original location.
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Eastgate Park
There’s a lot going on at Eastgate this year. The old bridge and pier in the pond have been removed and the outdated playground has been scrapped. But next week, I’m joining a bunch of volunteers, sponsored by the Realtor Foundation of the Triangle, to install a new playground in the park. Continue reading “Eastgate Park”
Buffaloe Road Athletic Park
Bufflaoe Road Athletic Park is home to some of the nicest ball fields in Raleigh. Built in 2003, the park includes five fields and bleacher seating that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. This park is host to many local and national softball and baseball competitions.
Moore Square
Moore Square is one of two surviving downtown parks outlined in William Christmas’ 1792 plan for the development of downtown Raleigh. The plan called for four four-acre parks to be arranged symmetrically around the Capitol Plaza. The other surviving park is Nash Square. Moore square lies in the heart of the Moore Square Historic District. It was named after Alfred E. Moore, a North Carolina judge who served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court.
Baileywick Road Park
Baileywick Road Park is a 50-acre park located in North Raleigh, not far from the YMCA. The park includes a large playground area with equipment grouped by age and two lighted baseball fields. Continue reading “Baileywick Road Park”
Jaycee Park and Community Center
Raleigh’s Jaycee Park is located just south of Wade Avenue, not far from Cameron Village. I really should’ve written about it sooner as I usually visit this park at least once a month for the meeting of the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board (PRGAB for short. There’s also a Facebook page). Continue reading “Jaycee Park and Community Center”
Lions Park
In reaction to a wave of juvenile delinquency and truancy following World War II, Raleigh’s leaders worked to expand recreational programs and facilities within the city. In 1951, Raleigh issued a quarter of a million dollar bond issue aimed at purchasing park lands in the area before rapid growth consumed available land. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee at the time hoped that civic groups would adopt and develop these sites as they were purchased. The Lions park in downtown Raleigh is one of the first parks to develop out of this plan. Continue reading “Lions Park”
John Winters Park
John Winters Park is a small open area in downtown Raleigh. It was named after John W. Winters, Sr. (1920-2004), Raleigh’s first African American city councilman and one of the first African Americans elected to the North Carolina State Senate since the Reconstruction Era. Continue reading “John Winters Park”