Parks and Facilities
Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department (PRCR) manages over 200 parks, along with more than 120 miles of greenway trails, athletic courts and fields, community centers, aquatic centers, art venues, and more. This robust system includes major sites like Pullen Park (the state’s oldest public park), William B. Umstead State Park, Lake Crabtree County Park, and the Neuse River Greenway.
The system offers activities for all ages and abilities—hiking, biking, playgrounds, swimming, sports leagues, arts classes, and senior programs—across diverse settings, from community centers in urban neighborhoods to nature preserves in the countryside.
City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department
City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
222 W. Hargett St., Ste. 608, Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: 919‑996‑3285
Email: prcontact@raleighnc.gov
Sports Complexes
- Lake Johnson Waterfront Center
- Brier Creek Athletic Complex
- Jaycee Park (fields & gym)
- Buffaloe Road Athletic Park (along Neuse Greenway)
- WRAL Soccer Center (at Neuse River Greenway)
Walking Trails & Greenways
- Capital Area Greenway System (100+ miles)
- Neuse River Greenway (34.5 mi multi-use trail)
- Shelley Lake Park Trail (2‑mile paved loop)
- Art‑to‑Heart Corridor Trail (5.9 mi connecting museums & campuses)
- William B. Umstead State Park Trails (22 mi hiking + 13 mi multi‑use)
Parks & Facilities
- Pullen Park
- John Chavis Memorial Park
- Caraleigh Park
- Leesville Community Park
- Strickland Road Neighborhood Park
Leisure & Aquatic Centers
- Pullen Aquatic Center (Olympic-size pool + therapy pool)
- Optimist Pool (indoor option)
- Lake Johnson Waterfront Center (boating/kayaking rentals)
- Greystone Recreation Center (indoor play areas)
- Holding Park Aquatic Center (Wake Forest region)
Aging & Senior Centers
- Active Adult Programs at various community centers
- Specialized classes at John Chavis & Raleigh senior centers
- Senior fitness and arts offerings across city centers
- Therapeutic swim & aquatic therapy at Pullen Aquatic Center
- Dedicated leisure events at community hubs
Tennis Facilities
- Tennis courts at Pullen Park
- Courts at John Chavis Park
- Courts at Caraleigh Park
- Neighborhood facility courts (various community parks)
- Free public courts at Shelley Lake Park
Community Centers
- Abbotts Creek Community Center
- Barwell Road Community Center
- Biltmore Hills Community Center
- Brier Creek Community Center
- Carolina Pines Community Center
- John Chavis Community Center
- Green Road Community Center
- Greystone Recreation Center
- Halifax Community Center
- Hill Street Community Center
- Jaycee Community Center
- John P. “Top” Greene Community Center
- Lake Lynn Community Center
- Lions Park Community Center
- Marsh Creek Community Center
- Method Community Center
- Millbrook Exchange Community Center
- Optimist Community Center
- Peach Road Cultural Center
- Powell Drive Neighborhood Center
- Southgate Community Center
- Tarboro Road Community Center
- Worthdale Community Center
