As my family and I were visiting my sister, we had heard that Durham Central Park was hosting a…read moreReggae Event. We decided to go to get a taste of the Caribbean in the South. We arrived and there was a live DJ playing Dancehall and Reggae, which had a great selection of music. There were tents and food trucks around the perimeter which had long lines and for good reason. There was good food and great merchants which my sister bought a shirt and I got a bucket hat with the Panamanian flag on it. My sister told me that there were a couple events being hosted in the coming weeks. I would definitely return when I go visit my sister.

Downtown Durham is cool and Durham Central Park is a big reason why. When I think of Durham Central…read morePark, I mainly think of The Pavilion and Foster Street, which hosts the Durham Farmers' Market (https://www.yelp.com/biz/durham-farmers-market-durham), and the adjacent public greenspace, playground, and skate park located between Foster Street and Rigsbee Avenue. However, Durham Central Park extends well beyond that. It's really a neighborhood, encompassing some of the coolest spots in the city. Aside from the aforementioned farmers' market, highlights at Central Park for me have included: * Boxcar Bar & Arcade: https://www.yelp.com/biz/boxcar-bar-arcade-durham * Durham Food Hall: https://www.yelp.com/biz/durham-food-hall-durham * Foster Street Coffee: https://www.yelp.com/biz/foster-street-coffee-durham Additionally, my wife and her co-residents are big fans of: * The Glass Jug (bar): https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-glass-jug-durham-3 There's also a lot of great stuff around Central Park like: * M Sushi: https://www.yelp.com/biz/m-sushi-durham * Pizzeria Toro: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pizzeria-toro-durham * The Blue Note Grill (barbecue and live music): https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-blue-note-grill-durham-2 * The Parlour (ice cream): https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-parlour-durham-2 * Viceroy (Indian restaurant): https://www.yelp.com/biz/viceroy-durham My wife likes to get her hair cut and styled at: * Rock Paper Scissors Salon: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rock-paper-scissors-salon-and-gallery-durham-2 The neighborhood also includes the DAP (Durham Athletic Park), former home of the Minor League Durham Bulls baseball team. According to artwork on the south side of the Liberty Warehouse Apartments, Durham Central Park was established in 2001. The Pavilion opened in 2007. There's lots of amazing public art in the neighborhood too. The municipal space is ideal for events like the farmers' market, festivals, live entertainment, food trucks, etc. It's perfect for the community.

I was looking for a new trail to explore since the weather is warmed up and it's not freezing…read moreoutside. This park wasn't too far from where I live so I decided to check it out. It definitely needs some TLC but overall, it offers playground dog park, baseball basketball and restrooms. I wasn't crazy over the trails so I decided to skip it and I'm gonna continue my search looking for other parks that I feel like I feel more fit what I'm looking for. The signage and overall vibe of the park could use some updating.

Decently large and well-maintained park near Carrboro. There are a few small hiking trails but they…read moreare a bit overgrown. Nice, new tennis courts are available, and a couple small playgrounds, but not much else. You can fish in the lake, but it's small and murky. Beautiful nature but if you're looking for trails, try elsewhere!

The greenway is not an area where you'd forget that your surroundings are urban, but there are…read moreminimal road crossings for the slightly over 2 miles that it runs, and the environs are pleasant. It is generally wide enough to accommodate the runners and occasional bikers that share the space. I prefer the NC state forest for a wilder experience or the botanical garden for a more manicured setting, but the greenway is an asset to its immediate surroundings.

This is such a beautiful greenway! You can enter from the start of the Tanyard Branch Trail,…read moreUmstead Park, or a variety of other entrances the further you get into the trail. North Carolina does it right with beautiful greenways that are clearly marked, well paved, and lush with nature. Bolin Creek is no different - I loved the multiple access points to the water, to playgrounds, to different shopping plazas. This trail is safe for children and folks with different accessibility needs too.

Trinity Park is one of my favorite parks in Durham. It's safely located directly off Trinity Street…read morein "Trinity Neighborhood" (around the corner from Duke East Campus). It has two playgrounds, one that is enclosed by a gate for younger children, while the other is open and has features that would interested 5+ ages (i.e. slides, monkey bars, fireman's pole, etc). Several swings, picnic tables, two grills and a water fountain are also on site, as well as a lovely gazebo. I've seen lots of birthday parties hosted here and it draws in a large neighborhood crowd as well. The only real downside to the park are the missing bathrooms. This is a problem if you're making this a destination spot, but it also keeps the crowd more neighborhood only. You can find parking on the street off Watts or Trinity and there's a "Little Free Library" right off Watts that you won't want to miss! This is a great spot for an afternoon (especially if your child is in diapers...), they also do a wonderful job of keeping up the landscaping and have some lovely flower gardens and herbs on site.

....my favorite place after work!!!!....today's 5 on 5 was great!!!!....time to get some shots up!read more

Decent park located right next to Fayetteville Elementary, so be warned it gets noisy during…read morerecess. The park includes two gated basketball courts, a grill and small picnic shelter with picnic tables. Field lights and eight gated tennis courts with bathroom and water fountain. A small playground which is slightly separated from the rest of the park (by trees). If you don't live ON the American Tobacco Trail, it might seem overwhelming to find an access point. However, Elmira Avenue Park could make for a convenient place to park and run. There's direct greenway access to Rocky Creek Trail, which will lead you to about the 2 mile point on the ATT. What makes me second guess this park is it's location. There are so many regularly trafficked very safe feeling parks, and Elmira isn't one of them. It's proximity to a lower socioeconomic demographic leaves me feeling slightly on edge and very aware of my surroundings. Overall, this wouldn't be a park I'd spend a lot of time at, but makes for a good spot to know about if you need to stop along the ATT in case of bathroom, water or parking needs.

Excellent for getting a trail in the woods experience conveniently in the city. The community…read morecenter off Estes is currently closed so no bathrooms. Well maintained and we'll used.

Park your car by the community center and try to get here during day light! Its really hard to…read morenavigate through the woods that don't have any source of lighting or reflection on the trail. Moderate difficulty.

I like this park mainly because it's secluded and virtually across the street from the Lakewood…read moreYMCA. Lots of kids came out to play even though there isn't much equipment to play on. My son loved the twisty slide best and it seemed that the other kids did too. There's a picnic area and a shelter area which I assume had bathrooms but I didn't check. There's also a huge sports field near the playground which means big kids can mingle with little ones once they are done with practice. Lots of shade from pine trees, and the company of squirrels, hawks, and various birds.

This is a relatively easy trail with some fairly consistent inclines. From the parking lot to the…read morequarry and back is about 1.9 miles, so a decent hike that shouldn't take too long. We went in the winter when there were no leaves on the trees and only one other car in the parking lot. We also went in the late afternoon and didn't realize that they closed a 5:30. We got to the car at 5:31 and there was a ranger waiting. We apologized profusely and promised to pay better attention next time. The hike is nice but the quarry is absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth the walk. I know that this is a popular spot in the summer but I truly cannot imagine swimming here as it doesn't exactly look safe. I need to go again soon because I bet it's lovely right now with all of the leaves changing colors. You will not regret making this hike!

Starting at Eno River Pleasant Green access, you can access the Laurel Bluffs trail which will take…read moreyou out and around the Eno Quarry. The trail is 3.2 miles total and there is good shade throughout, with the quarry as the perfect spot to cool off midway point on the hike. The trail was relatively easy with some minor inclines and tree roots to keep an eye out for. If you go on a weekday you'll have the trail to yourself, though I have yet to have a problem finding parking at the trailhead on weekends.