How has Rockwood Park not been Yelped yet? This park is awesome! Rockwood Park is a neighborhood park, so you wouldn't just "stumble" upon it, you've got to know where you're going. The worst part about it is the small parking lot, only four spaces and two handicapped spaces, but there is street parking. And, since it's a neighborhood park, it's fair quiet. You'll quickly feel at peace with the tall trees that surround you and little stream running through the park and several bridges.
There are bathroom facilities and a water fountain, doggie bags, sheltered and non-sheltered picnic tables, a basketball court, trashcans, grills and a large children's playground area. The playground include on 2-5 year old style with slides and small climbing steps, and a large 6-12 year old style with monkey bars, large slides, and a fireman's pole. They also have a large tic-tac-toe table and, four swings (two of which are buckets) and two ride-on toys that toddlers can easily get in and out of. Plus, a nice little perk of this park is the small trail that meanders through the trees. It's roughly paved, so you can use the trail for a short run (it's about a 1/4 mile loop, although I didn't track it, so an estimate) or your tots can ride bikes/scooters on it.
Now that I've discovered this park, I'm sure I will find myself going back to it many times. Plus, it's a great location, hidden from the main road, yet close to the intersection of 15-501 and University (great access to lunch spots and downtown Durham). read more