I came to the park based on location. It was the first course I played on since moving here and I…read morehad a decent time only because I enjoy playing. I have since been back for another try but left halfway through in disappointment. The course is not marked very well and hard to navigate..i recommend looking up the course map online to help. Overall the course is run down and needs some definite help. It could be a really nice course! I've researched and emailed two different people on the parks and rec committee to try and give my opinion and even offer my services to help, but the only response made it evident that they didn't even actually read the email, just thought I was trying to rent out the ropes course..

Good basketball court (tennis too) with overhead so rain dont fall on you…read more Gets active during the week around 2-4pm so if you not a fr hooper or athletic avoid these times bc it gets deep. Only downside is the pollen in the spring.

The bathrooms. They're ALWAYS locked! That's not cool, friends…read more.. You've received your warning up front, lest you be deceived by the two prominent restroom facilities on site. That's the downside. The upside is that the rest of the park is well-kept and spacious for what it is. Lots of parking, and there are 8 tennis courts! And a large field (looks like it's primarily used for baseball and volleyball), plus built in bleachers for spectating. A little path through a wooded area leads you to the Vietnam Veterans memorial and spills into the Johnston Center parking lot (where you'll find an aquatic facility and more).

I'm really not sure what Rock Quarry Park is missing! They host a bunch of public events (Light The…read moreNight Walk and Woofstock are just two events coming up THIS month!) and it's where the military branch based next doors always has their family day. I run through this park when I'm on the Ellerbe Creek Trail and sometimes stop to grab a drink from the water fountains. Rock Quarry Park has athletic fields, greenway access, lights, picnic facilities, play grounds, restrooms, soccer fields, tennis courts, water fountains, and a youth baseball field. If you enter and following the parking lot straight down, you'll see a trail entrance. This trail (sometimes with use of sidewalks) leads to the Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial, Edison Johnson Recreation Center, Museum of Life and Science, and joins up with the Ellerbe Creek Trail. Do take note that the park is referred to as "Rock Quarry Park at Edison Johnson Recreation", the two kind of spill into one another. The ACTUAL park has the athletic fields, bathrooms and tennis courts, while the Recreation Center has everything else (even a pool and a splash pad!) And of course the Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial is located in the middle, on the path that connects the park to the recreation center. You will find people "hanging out" in their cars in the parking lot, like at most Durham Parks, but they've never bothered me. Overall, this is a great park for field activities, tennis and runners. I definitely pay it my park dues!

Small parking lot but lots of features. The multiple lighted tennis courts are awesome and I saw a…read morebunch of folks playing and practicing today when I stopped by. Large playground surrounded by woods. There is a decent sized picnic shelter with grills here and a structure with restrooms. The park is also a trailhead for the Third Fork Creek Trail. Nice park! [Review 12732 overall, 44 of 2020.]

I won't lie, my main use of Garrett Road Park is the parking lot, bathrooms and entrance to Third…read moreFork Creek Trail, and honestly, I prefer to begin the seven mile trail at the other end, at Southern Boundaries Park. However, in all fairness, Garrett Road Park offers your typical park needs, although somewhat sparse. They've got a NEW modern, metal playground, picnic shelter and tennis courts. There's a lovely pound [no fishing allowed] and plenty of parking. Since it's located across the street from Jordan High School, I would assume it gets a lot of activity, although as of yet, I've hit it while school is in session and haven't seen any kids playing hooky here. Overall, a decent park, but since there are so many better park options in the area, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this one.

Visited Gold Park on a chilly Saturday in March and was astounded by how crowded it was! Every…read morecovered picnic area was filled and kids were running crazy (but in a "good" way) across the playground equipment. The multi-purpose field had a group playing soccer and I'm sure that the fenced dog park had it's fair share of action as well. The park is located right outside of downtown Hillsborough, drivable from downtown but walkable from the Riverwalk (paved trails that meander through "forested" areas along the Eno River; perfect for strollers and/or runners alike!) The park includes 0.3 miles of this Riverwalk greenway and links to downtown (by Weaver Street Market). The park stands on about 20 acres and also includes a ball park and bathrooms. Two separated playgrounds for children ages 2-5 year olds and one for the 5-12 year olds. The playgrounds sit on mulch and receive little to no sun. But you're in luck because you might be able to beat the sun with the parks hours, opening daily from 8 a.m. to a half hour after sunset.

Came here with our bicycles and, on the advice of a park-regular, we followed the paved trail that…read morewinds around this 24 acre park, along the Enos River, and then becomes the 1.5 mile long RiverWalk. Had we had mountain bikes, would have continued on to the dirt path that goes on for another 5 miles onto private property but that area is open to walkers and mountain bikes (read the signs at the far end of the RiverWalk to access this area). Gold Park has something for nearly everyone and is "thoughtful" in some of its design, such as the Bee Hotel, which is made up of natural materials with spaces for bees to hunker down and feel safe. There is a good sized dog park, baseball field, playground, large, grassy area, rest rooms, soda/water machines, water fountains, and what is especially nice are the numerous entrances from/to the town of Hillsborough for those without cars. Come take a walk along the Enos River and find the gorgeous gazebo-like structure made entirely of saplings that looks like it grew up from below the ground, and erected by 150+ volunteers. It's a beauty!

Found myself in desperate need for a park when all the local libraries were closed for a seemingly…read morespontaneous "staff development day". I would say I wandered over to Long Meadow Park, although honestly, it's been on my list of "historic" parks to check out for a while, not to mention it IS located in EAST Durham (ah area of town that, truth me told, I don't venture into often). Long Meadow Park is one of Durham's first parks, established in 1932 and initially segregated, it's counter-park (counter part park) was East End Park [see my review], which is one block to the north. in the 1960's, the demographics of this area of Durham changed drastically and the park fell into ruins until early 2000s when the city put over $500,000 into renovations. The sum of these renovations, especially when paired with the facilities at East End Park one block away, people might say are some of the nicest facilities and greatest quantity of park amenities in the city. Long Meadow Park is a fairly large park, with a huge play ground area including two structures (one of younger tots and one for older--see photos). A huge pool at Long Meadow Park, constructed in 1937, with a gigantic water slide any child or adult would love, is also a main center point. In addition, the park includes basketball courts, covered picnic facilities & tables, grills, a water fountain and a youth baseball field. There are bathrooms on site as well, but a sign posted informs patrons that "due to high levels of vandalism, the bathroom is only accessible when when the picnic shelter is rented out..." Which brings me to my three star rating. Although the amenities to Long Meadow Park are great, the location and feeling of safety lead me to the lower rating. Visiting on a weekday about 1:30p, the basketball courts across the field from the playground, were filled with about twenty adult males shooting hoops and playing horseshoes. The park is located across the street from an elementary school, but I was very conscious of being the only female with a child a short distance away from a very busy group of people. No one approached us, but that unsettling intuition won't make me rush back to this park.

I always see this place on the map but decided to check it out on an evening walk. There are clear…read moresigns leading you to it from 157 Guess street. There's grills, 6 tennis courts, a play ground, flush toilets, water fountains, two baseball diamond, and plenty of picnic benches and plenty of parking spots. There's a short paved path that hugs along Warren Creek. Plenty of people walk this road and kids like to ride their bikes along it too.

Cool little park with a nice play ground, two baseball / softball fields and four tennis courts,…read moreand picnic tables. Nice park to take the kids for a picnic when the weather is nice for a little R&R.

I discovered Northgate Park recently while training on the Ellerbe Creek Trail, which runs directly…read morethrough this rather large park. Honestly, I CAN'T believe I've never spotted or been to this park before, it is really lovely, and as a self-proclaimed park connoisseur, it's embarrassing that I've missed this location for so long! What you should know: the park is really large, split into four sections. The main section and largest part of the park is my personal favorite. It is one huge plot of land that is divided into two segments with a stream and forest area in the middle also connected by a foot bridge. On half of this area you have a paved running trail (the Ellerbe Creek Trail), which winds through the park with lots of tree coverage and benches to rest on if needed. The other half of this area houses two playgrounds (one more toddler focused and one for older children), drinking fountain, bike parking, baby swings, picnic tables and shelter, chess/checker board seating and grill area. There are several open fields in this area of the park, but none are large enough to be qualified as athletic fields. The other two sections of this park include a dog park across the street and two tennis courts (and bathroom facilities) that host a variety of neighborhood parties, including Northgate Park food truck rodeos. Northgate Park has a seemingly great neighborhood association which is very active. In addition to the neighborhood park food truck rodeos, they host holiday events: Easter egg hunts, Halloween trick-or-treat festivities, etc. Make this park a destination in itself, or visit before/after a trip to the Museum of Life and Science, accessible from the park by foot or car.

Found this park when we tried to go to the library after it closed. Pretty new, play structures are…read morein great condition and have a lot of interesting designs and obstacles. Both structures are pretty low to the ground so are pretty good for young children. What sets this apart is the small amphitheater and seating options. Looks like it would be great for a small party, school class or just an informal play date with lots of kids. There is a large gazebo or pavilion right in the middle and lots of trees for shade. A few downsides: it may not be as adventurous for older kids, grassy area is small but useable and there is only one swing, which is a tire swing. Small things, but overall this was a great find right next to the library downtown!