Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park

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”

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.

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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”

North Wake Landfill Park

Wake County has transformed North Raleigh’s “Mount Trashmore” into its newest park. This 36-acre county park is located on a 200-acre site that, up until 2008, was the location of a landfill containing 500 million tons of trash. The trash is still there, but it’s hidden under a playground, trails and one of the highest points in Wake County. Continue reading “North Wake Landfill Park”