Dr. Annie’s will was specific about the use of the 157 acres that she deeded to Raleigh. She specified that the land should be a nature park used for education and research and that no new buildings be built on the property. Dr. Annie’s family was very involved in the development of the park, ensuring that her wishes and vision become a reality.

The site has a number of green and sustainable features. Pervious concrete and pavers similar to those used at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center allow water to filter through to the soil, minimizing runoff. Many of the materials used when converting a home on the property to the existing park office were reclaimed or recycled. The restrooms utilize a water reclamation and treatment system that allows water to be recycled and used to flush toilets and urinals, minimizing the amount of water drawn from the park’s on-site well. This small scale Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) is the first application of the technology in North Carolina. Solar powered LEDs light the parking lot and photovoltaic panels on the park office roof generate power that is sold back to the utility company. There are also two electric vehicle recharging stations – one in the parking lot near the park office and one for charging vehicles used by park staff.

There are currently three trails on the property. The longest is the forest loop that takes you on a mile-long hike through the woods on the west side of the park. There is a short trail that leads from the outer parking lot to the park office and a loop that leads you around the pond.  If you’re looking for the longest option, I recommend parking in the outer lot (the first parking area you see just after entering the park) and taking the trail toward the park office. Just before reaching the office, there’s an option to continue on the forest loop trail. When you get near the end of that trail, you’ll be able to see the pond. Take the loop around the pond and you’ll end up just downhill from the natural play area and the restrooms. Make sure that you visit the office before you head back to your car – the park staff is friendly and informative.

Another trail is in the works as a project led by a local Eagle Scout candidate and a future trail will lead visitors to an old quarry on the property. The quarry served as a source for Falls Leucogneiss. This stone is known for it’s water-resistant nature and was used as a foundation for many historic NC mills including Yates Mill and Lassiter Mill. Another future trail will connect to the NC Mountains-to-Sea hiking trail that follows the southwest edge of Falls Lake.

The page on Raleigh’s site announcing the dedication of the park lists a sample of the programming you can expect to be offered.

Dr. Annie’s residence has yet to be converted for public use. In the future, funds will be raised to convert that building for additional space for education and conservation research.

Raleigh is in the process of developing a Nature Preserves Park Classification. In addition to the Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park, there are three other parks listed as meeting the draft definition of a Raleigh Nature Preserve. They are the Durant Nature Park, the Horseshoe Farm Park, and the southern portion of the Lake Johnson Park.

Outstanding Financial Contributor
The Realtor Foundation of the Triangle

Raleigh Parks and Recreation staff was contacted in Spring 2010 by The Realtor Foundation of the Triangle who expressed an interest in becoming involved in a park project in Raleigh.  Staff met with Ray Larcher and other members of the Foundation who were interested in possible involvement in parks and recreation projects. They discussed various opportunities for volunteers and funding including playground projects.

After the initial meeting, Wayne Schindler and Cindy Trumbower were asked to meet again with the Foundation on October 18, 2010. The Foundation expressed interest in making a contribution in 2010 and asked about upcoming projects.  Wayne Schindler reviewed the funding opportunities for a new playground at Eastgate Park that would be built in 2011. The board members expressed interest in this project. Although the Foundation had previously supported projects financially, they were more interested in a project that would also engage members.

In December 2010 The Realtor Foundation of the Triangle provided a $13,000 contribution to Raleigh Parks and Recreation to assist with purchasing equipment for the Eastgate playground. They also committed to having members of the Foundation support a Community Build Day in May 2011 for the playground. The additional financial contribution provided upgrades for Eastgate playground including new equipment in the 2-5 year old and 5-12 year old playground areas. The City of Raleigh is so pleased to have the partnership of The Realtor Foundation of the Triangle.

Nominated by: Wayne Schindler, Parks Superintendent

Outstanding Athletic Volunteer
Marlane Klintworth-Keeter

Marlane Klintworth-Keeter has worked with District A  Athletics as a volunteer youth coach since 2005. She coaches both basketball and baseball, so for over half of each year, she is volunteering on average three to five hours a week with our youth athletics.

Marlane personifies the ideal volunteer coach. She is as dedicated to the ideas of teamwork and sportsmanship as she is to the fundamentals of the sport. Her players grow as individuals and as a team during the course of each season and win or lose, they come away feeling like winners thanks to Marlane’s efforts.  She is one of our most popular coaches, and always receives positive feedback from parent evaluations, as well as several requests from parents for their child to play on one of her teams.

In addition to the time she invests into the teams that she has coached over the years, Marlane expressed concern over the decline of participation by girls in the youth basketball leagues. She is committed to assisting Raleigh Parks and Recreation in trying to extol the benefits of recreational sports to school-age girls in an effort to get more of them to continue to play in recreational leagues as they get older. Marlane has a passion for women’s athletics and works toward increasing opportunities for youth.  She has already played a vital role in increasing participation by encouraging families and kids to register and try the game of basketball.

Nominated by: Kira Stewart and Laura Brannon, Recreation Program Supervisor III

Outstanding Greenway Volunteer
Michael Maieli

Michael Maieli has been a Raleigh resident since 1979. He has assisted the City of Raleigh with maintenance of the Lake Park Greenway Trail since 1980.  He started as a volunteer, then as a “Greenway Captain” organized various neighborhood cleanups around the Shelly Lake area. He has continued assisting the Greenway staff with policing the trail and making small repairs. Michael impresses the staff with his hard work and dedication by helping with the maintenance of this section of the greenway. His ongoing efforts help provide a clean and safe trail for patrons.

Staff look forward every spring to Michael’s call to say it is time for his “spring cleaning” on the trail. His volunteerism is essential to the success of the Park’s maintenance program. His willingness to participate in the Adopt-A-Park program provides additional eyes on the trail. Michael is an avid outdoorsman and has hiked, biked or canoed most of the major trails, paths and rivers in the state. He provides a user’s point of view that contributes to trail maintenance so everyone can enjoy the City of Raleigh Greenway System.

Nominated by: Brian Johnson, Greenway Supervisor

Outstanding Adopt-A-Park Volunteer
Bob and Donna Jones

For the past two years, with plans to return for a third season, Bob and Donna Jones have been outstanding participants in the Raleigh Municipal Rose Garden’s Adopt-A-Bed Volunteer Program. Volunteers initially attend an orientation/training/information seminar and adopt one to three rose beds (each containing 18 shrubs). During the peak of the bloom cycles, this is an eight to twelve hour per week dedication of careful, meticulous, attentive labor from May through October. The volunteer must be able to identify bloom stock needing removal, determine where on each stem below each bloom the proper cut needs to be made to remove that bloom, and cut at a precise angle. This is no small task and requires demanding stooping, stretching and sweating.

No strangers to rose culture themselves, Bob and Donna quickly adapted to the specific needs of a municipal garden. They maintain the rose shrubs expertly and communicate responsibly regarding the vicissitudes of the plants under their care.  Soon after initially adopting six beds, the Jones’ began to expand their dedication, pitching in wherever shrubs were found in need of attention. The Jones’ invariably leave the rose beds well groomed and orderly, insuring a bounty of rich color for the coming days.  The bloom season comes to an end with the November “flat-topping” of the roses, and Bob and Donna also chose to volunteer to join in that task.

Bob and Donna have chosen to combine their passion for roses and dedicated work ethic in service to the City of Raleigh. Their conscientious and unflagging efforts enhance the experience of Rose Garden patrons and are an inspiration to staff coming to work and witnessing their commitment.  As often the Rose Garden is referred to as Raleigh’s “best kept secret,” there is no doubt that Bob and Donna Jones are in good measure part of the “best”.

Nominated by: John Bento, Assistant Park Operations Supervisor

Outstanding Senior Adult Program Volunteer
Bernice L. Perry

Mrs. Bernice L. Perry has been a member of the Smiling Age Club at Biltmore Hills Community Center since 2007.  She has served as Club President for the last two years. Mrs. Perry has put in countless hours making sure the club is moving in a positive direction.  She is also a caring individual who gives of her time to so many people. She transports members to doctor’s appointments and provides meals as needed.

Mrs. Perry taught school for 34 years and was chairman of her grade level for 15 years. During her profession, she was awarded the Teacher of the Year. She has a strong demeanor, knowledge of life events, organizational skills, leadership ability and caring ways. She makes sure that everyone’s opinion is heard. Not only does she put in countless hours at Biltmore Hills Community Center, she puts in volunteer hours throughout the city.

Recently, Mrs. Perry was also involved in the development of two new playgrounds in Raleigh’s parks including Lane Street Mini Park and Southgate Park. She has also received certificates from the CAC for Outreach and Improvement in the Community.  She is definitely one of Raleigh’s outstanding volunteers through all of her efforts in the community.

Nominated by: Kenneth Lyons, Facility and Program Supervisor II

Outstanding Specialized Recreation Volunteer
Dave and Melissa Henry

Dave and Melissa Henry have been volunteers for the Specialized Recreation program/Special Olympics of Wake County. They have been an integral part of the Specialized Recreation program’s success.

Every year, the Specialized Recreation Department/Special Olympics Wake County hosts the Multi-State Swim Meet.  Over 200 swimmers compete in this annual event and travel from as far away as Florida and Ohio. Following the 2009 meet, the Henrys eagerly approached staff about ways they could be involved with meet preparation for the 2010 competition.

Dave and Melissa worked tirelessly to secure donations for the 2010 Meet. They contacted numerous vendors, seeking discounts and donations to defray the costs associated with providing lunch to nearly 500 swimmers, coaches and volunteers.  Their efforts produced discounts and donations from Chick-Fil-A, Sheetz and local grocery stores to assist with the purchases.  The Henrys also worked with Coca Cola to secure a large donation of drinks for the event.  The dedicated work of Dave and Melissa Henry resulted in $2,787.50 of in-kind donations for the 15th Annual MultiState Swim Meet, held in March 2010.

They were instrumental in assuring that this event would be a success. Dave and Melissa Henry are truly outstanding individuals and have shown dedication to providing quality opportunities to individuals with special needs.

Nominated by: Stephanie Stancil, Senior Recreation Program Specialist

Outstanding Volunteer Group
Lucy Wyche, Hannah Landi, Mattison Zinner & Maggie Barton

Lucy Wyche, Hannah Landi, Maggie Barton, and Mattison Zinner deserve to be recognized because of their desire to help others in the community.  They show a sense of selflessness, which is very rare in young people today.  Their efforts came solely from their own hearts and ideas.  On December 23, 2010, these four young girls adopted an entire neighborhood of 160 kids for Christmas.  The ladies went out of their way to ensure that these children (of their own age and which they had never met) had a reason to celebrate the holidays. But, to actually understand how they made this event happen was nothing short of a Christmas Miracle!

The story begins with Lucy, a bubbly 11 year old girl with a heart of gold.  Lucy came up with the idea to start her own giving tree organization that would distribute toys to needy children.  She had been involved in angel tree organizations in the past, but felt disconnected since she did not get to see the smiles on the kids’ faces as they received their gifts.  Because of this, she started an organization known as S.T.A.R. (Sending Toys Across Raleigh).  Lucy sought help from her friends Hannah, Maggie, and Mattison.  The girls raised money by selling t-shirts to their friends. Their goal was to sell 30 shirts, which would give them enough money to purchase gifts for 20 kids.  The girls had everything they needed, except 20 kids who needed toys. They went to various agencies, but were continuously denied due to their request to deliver the gifts to the children. This is how The Ralph Campbell Center and Apollo Heights neighborhood became fortunate enough to be blessed by the unconditional desire of the four girls to help others in need.

A week prior to the miracle works of four friends, the Apollo Heights Community had a large well known organization donate toys to the community, but unfortunately the generous donation did not provide all of the children in the community holiday cheer.  More than 160 children were turned away that day.  Later that week a call came in from Lucy’s mother. She explained the dilemma of having toys, but no one to give them to.  Rickey Fowler, the Director of Ralph Campbell, in turn explained the issue that they were experiencing.  In a matter of minutes, Mrs. Wyche and the young girls walked into the Ralph Campbell Center ready to help. There were 160 names of children that did not receive toys from the previous event, but they had only raised enough funds to provide for 20 kids.  Without further thought, the young girls took the list and said “I guess we just have to get everyone something.” Within 24 hours Lucy called Ricky to inform him they were able to get everyone on the list at least two gifts. The following day, December 23, the four young ladies of S.T.A.R brought three trunk loads of gifts the center for the neighborhood kids.  What an act of heartfelt kindness from a group of young people!

Nominated by: Rickey Fowler, Facility and Program Supervisor II

Outstanding Volunteer Group
Platinum Status Ryderz Motorcycle Club

Platinum Status Ryderz Motorcycle Club is an all female bike club that consists of mature women with a passion for riding motorcycles and building a better community.   They are family oriented and devoted to sisterhood.  They were established in October 2009 with the goals of promoting safe riding and community service.  Not only do they ride but they are eager to serve.  Twelve women from all walks of life are united as one to improve the moral of motorcycling.

These ladies spent countless hours soliciting book bags and school supplies for 300 identified children within the Walnut Terrace Community.  They provided them with notebooks, paper, pens and pencils, dictionaries, composition books, crayons and colored pencils, markers, erasers and many more supplies.  They separated them according to grade levels and attempted to give each child the basic necessities for beginning the school year.  Items that they were not able to get donated, they purchased themselves.

Not only did they purchase school supplies but they also facilitated field games and activities for the entire family.  They engaged all ages in this fun-filled day.  Door prizes were distributed to game winners and participants.

Three motorcycle clubs began this undertaking, but by the time it was over and word spread, eleven clubs had come forth.  It is their intention to hold this community service event every year.  Many thanks and much appreciation to Platinum Status Ryderz Motorcycle Club.

Nominated by: Ethel Evans, Facility and Program Supervisor II

Outstanding Park Volunteer
Pat Daley

When considering the attributes a great volunteer should have, Pat Daley comes to mind.  An ideal volunteer would be enthusiastic, available and willing to perform in a variety of functions.  Pat is all of these things and more.  Pat’s enthusiasm is always a welcome sight at Mordecai Historic Park.  She is always ready to dig in to any job that needs to be done.  There is never hesitation when asked to do something, and she does it to the best of her ability with pleasure.  She takes to heart the purpose of events and makes sure visitors enjoy every bit of their time at Mordecai.

A busy realtor, nevertheless, Pat is available when we need her.  Pat makes it a habit to come on Sunday afternoons knowing that there will only be one staff member to give tours. That extra help is so welcome for the staff on Sundays when it is hard to manage alone.  Even during the week, Pat will run in to give a tour in between her own business appointments.

Many times Pat has found news articles or perhaps gone on guided tours during vacation and brought back new ideas to share with staff.  Pat and her husband Jim often make volunteering a family event.  They show up and say, “Put us where you want us!”  No matter how hectic or pressed for time she is, Pat is always cheerful, upbeat and encouraging to those around her.  Her love and devotion to Mordecai are apparent in everything she does.

Nominated by: Fran Hunter, Mordecai Volunteer Coordinator

Outstanding Project Volunteer
Allan and Joyce Campbell

Joyce Campbell is an active participant in Pullen Arts Center’s pottery studio program in many ways. For the last three years, she has regularly taken classes, has practiced her skills during open studio time, and has made improvements to our pottery studio program on her own initiative.

Over her years of participation, Joyce has seen needs in the studio and has quietly and efficiently made it her mission to come up with solutions. While Joyce is the person who identifies the need, she works with her husband Allan to design and build the solution; each drawing on their own strengths to be part of the solution.  Together they have made and donated pottery throwing tools to Pullen Arts Center, made boards for drying greenware, and have donated time and materials to make the slab roller work better.

In 2010, their initiative and efforts went further above and beyond than normal. Early in 2010, Joyce overheard Pullen Arts Center staff brainstorming about how to solve the problem of sinks overflowing because studio users were not taking clay scraps out of their water buckets before emptying the buckets into the sink.  That same week, Joyce began researching the measures that other pottery studios take to prevent this problem, developed an idea for an inexpensive solution, and brought in prototype for testing.  After testing the prototype bucket, Joyce and Allan made three more buckets for the sinks.  The sinks have not overflowed again since Allan’s and Joyce’s buckets were put in place.  The Pullen Arts Center is extremely grateful for the initiative, the talent, and the generosity of Allan and Joyce Campbell.

Nominated by: Eliza Kiser, Recreation Facility and Program Supervisor II

Outstanding Program Volunteer
Susan Stallings

Susan Stallings has given countless hours of time, effort, energy, creativity and expertise to Mordecai Historic Park.  Form many years before the City of Raleigh took over management of the park and in the almost six years since, Susan has been an outstanding member of our volunteer program.  She has volunteered at events, raised funds for park projects and been a leader among our volunteers.

Susan’s love of textiles and knowledge of fabric, needlework, stitches, technique and design is extensive.  Her love has benefited the park in several ways.  As a member of the Stitchers in Time, Susan has worked to complete the pew cushions in St. Marks Chapel.  This is no small feat.  Each cushion is hand made to fit in an exact position on a specific pew. Hours of labor, sometime stretching over several years, have gone into each cushion to create elaborate designs depicting North Carolina flora and fauna.  Susan has also lent her expertise to the park as a consultant on our collection of textiles, helping to identify significant pieces in the collection.  When Susan is not analyzing stitches, you may find her volunteering at one of Mordecai’s special events.  In addition to consulting and volunteering at events, she also contributed her knowledge to a postcard of Ellen Mordecai’s sampler that is for sale in the Mordecai gift shop.

In 2010, after working on the annual fundraiser for several years, Susan managed the Lawn and Garden sale.  This sale, put on by Mordecai volunteers, raises funds for projects at the park.  Susan rallied the volunteers to take donations, price items and man tents the day of the sale.  She was able to raise more than $1,500 for the park.

Nominated by: Troy Burton, Mordecai Site Manager

Outstanding Teen Volunteer
Mary Killela

Mary Killela is currently a senior at Panther Creek High School and has been an active participant in the Raleigh Youth Council (RYC) for the past four years. During this time she has performed over 400 hours of community service, participated with leadership programs, recreational events, fundraisers, State Youth Conferences and Youth Legislative Assembly. Mary has also shown exceptional attendance and involvement at the RYC bimonthly meetings.

Mary has held leadership positions on the Executive Board with RYC, including Secretary her sophomore and junior year, and Chair of RYC this year.  She has a commitment to improve the community, as well as volunteer her advice, friendship, and leadership skills to whoever needs them.  Being an honor roll student, taking college courses and actively participating in her high school band, Mary has still found time to volunteer for the following events with Raleigh Parks and Recreation: Run for the Oaks, Specialized Recreation Halloween and Valentines Dance, Buddy Walk, Santa’s Elves Workshop, Domino Day and KidsFest.  Mary has also organized and assisted with donating canned goods for the RYC food drive and small toys to drop off at WakeMed for children at Christmas.  Mary continues to find the time and energy to volunteer in order to make the Teen Program better.

Throughout her high school career, Mary has been dedicated to Raleigh Youth Council and continues to recruit members.  She is an outstanding young woman and has not only given her time to Raleigh Parks and Recreation, but to the entire community.  She has been an asset to the Teen Program and to the community at large!

Nominated by: Daniel Price, Teen Program Manager

Award of Excellence
Vernis Wright

Vernis Wright has coached youth football with Raleigh Parks and Recreation since 1998. His knowledge of the game and ability to work with children is exceptional. He teaches youth both the fundamentals of football and of life. Vernis cares about the participants both on and off the field and gives 100% towards the kid’s knowledge of the sport and personal welfare. His players learn respect, responsibility and the importance of excelling in academics. On several occasions he has gone beyond the duty that is required of a coach and a volunteer. Coach Wright has donated personal funds towards registrations, snacks, banquets, trophies and other needed equipment for participants over the years.

Several parents bring their kids to Coach Wright for him to talk to and mentor if they step out of line at home or school.  Coach Wright has always been an individual who lends a helping hand to anyone in need. Being a parent, foster parent, pastor and student at Shaw Divinity School, he still is able to find the time to make sure that the youth on his team feel important and know that he is there for them. Vernis is an outstanding volunteer, motivator and role model. Raleigh Parks and Recreation and Lions Park are proud to have Coach Wright as an outstanding volunteer.

Nominated by: Christie Jones, Recreation Facility and Program Supervisor III

The Mordecai House (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) was built by Joel Lane in 1785 for his son Henry and Henry’s bride Polly. At the time, it was at the center of a 5,000-acre plantation that now makes up much of the norther part of the downtown area. The building was named after lawyer Moses Mordecai, who married both of Henry and Polly’s daughters. That’s right – both: Moses married Peggy Lane after the death of her older sister Margaret. Scandal!

The Mordecai park is also home to the building that where Andrew Johnson was born in 1808. It has been relocated to the Mordecai site. Funny aside: in 2005, the SyFy show Ghost Hunters aired an episode taped at Mordecai.

St. Mark’s Chapel is another popular building on the Mordecai campus. It was built in the mid-1800s as the Haughton family chapel in Gulf, North Carolina. Since it was built for the use of a single family and their slaves, the chapel is small, which makes it a great location for weddings. It was actually St. Mark’s Chapel that inspired my visit to the park. More specifically, it was the pew covers custom-stitched for the chapel by a team of dedicated volunteers. The thirty-three pew covers (plus a cover for the kneeling bench) depict North Carolina flora and fauna in great detail. I had the honor of introducing Susan Stallings, one of the stitchers, at the 2011 Fred Fletcher Awards. Susan was recognized as an Outstanding Program Volunteer for her work on the pew covers and all of the many ways that she helps at the park. Check out the pics below for photos of some of the pew covers.

I’m glossing over a lot here – you should really visit the park and take a tour to get the low-down on all of the history concentrated here. Guided tours begin on the hour, Tuesday – Sunday. The first tour on weekdays starts at 10am, the last at 3pm. On Sundays, the park is open from 1-4pm. The schedule may change if a school group is on-site. On Saturdays in December through March, hour-long trolley rides of Historic Raleigh leave the park at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

There’s a lot going on at Eastgate this year. The old bridge and pier in the pond have been removed and the outdated playground has been scrapped. But next week, I’m joining a bunch of volunteers, sponsored by the Realtor Foundation of the Triangle, to install a new playground in the park.

The land for this park was purchased by the city in 1972, but the area was recognized by J Cooper Young (a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh) as a place of beauty back in 1915. There’s a plaque near the pond commemorating this.

There are some nice trails and picnic opportunities (benches and a shelter) around the pond. There’s some pretty interesting-looking 70′s era concrete storm-water management devices at both ends of the pond.

The tennis courts were bustling on the morning I visited. There’s also a big multi-purpose field along Wingate Drive on the east side of the park.

I’ll post some photos of the new playground once we’re done with it!

The five fields are all lit and maintained via underground irrigation.  Nearby is a 400 meter track and a large multi-purpose field. Near the entrance to the park, there’s a good-sized playground area and restrooms.

I was surprised to discover a wetland area and greenway that runs along the south side of the park. A raised boardwalk gives you access to this peaceful area.

As I mentioned last year, this park will soon be home to the Buffaloe Road Aquatics Center. This facility will include a giant water slide, a lazy river, a ‘vortex’ area and a spray-ground. All features are indoor, providing an extended season. The focus for this center will be on recreational swimming and it will offer a fun water-park experience. The new 18,000 sq. ft. building will be LEED registered and include lots of cutting-edge green features. The center is expected to open in the Fall of 2011.

Today, Moore Square is characterized by a stand of mature oaks, but not much else. It has been updated bit-by-bit over the years and many of the park’s elements compete with one another. Paths with different surfaces have been added where traffic patterns had worn the lawn. Mis-matched plantings and borders have been added without any over-arching design.

The Moore Square Master Plan

In 2009, the Raleigh City Council approved the Moore Square Design and Public Process to make better use of this unique downtown green space. The process kicked off with public input sessions and a contest of conceptual designs. In October of 2009, Christopher Counts Studio was announced as the winner of the jury-based competition. The concepts that won the competition have been further refined through a series of public meetings and reviews. The product of this process is the Moore Square Master Plan, a general plan that documents the results of public input and suggests many possible features to be added to Moore Square. Once approved by the City Council, this plan will be used to create detailed design and engineering documents as well as a final budget for the updates.

Some of the primary plan elements are:

• Central Lawn – consolidating the existing fragmented lawn into an open usable space.
• Tilted Lawn – a raised area within the park that includes a grassy social space on one side and a play environment including rocks and plantings on the other. A possible feature of this hill is that it could contain park utilities, minimizing disturbance of existing tree roots. Plans also consider a public restroom housed within this hill.
• Linear Plaza – removing the limited parking at the south side of the square (adjacent to City Market) to create a plaza that could be used for events or markets.
• Perimeter Border – a “dignified perimeter” that frames the park and encourages entrance at formal designated areas.
• Linear Benches – long custom-made benches that act as “social generators”, perfect for a quick lunch or people-watching.
• Grove Terrace and Café Kiosk – a flat open area that includes movable chairs and a small café serving prepared foods.

The Jaycee Park is home to a community center that contains meeting rooms, a gym, and a weight room. It also contains a couple of lighted ball fields, some sand volleyball courts and a small ‘vintage’ playground. The community center is slated to be renovated, with work completing in June of 2012.

Featured in the photo at the top of this page is the Parks and Recreation Department’s Recreation Administration building. This mid century mod-ish building contains a large atrium filled with live plants.

I knew that the Jaycee Park is dominated by beautiful old oaks but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there are also some wooded trails that run along a stream on the western side of the park. They connect to a bit of greenway that will take you to the Rose Garden near the Raleigh Little Theater. On the Raleigh Nature blog, John picked a waterfall in this part of the park as his favorite spot to listen to water. It’s surprisingly peaceful to be located so close to downtown and busy Wade Ave.

If you visit the park, be sure to check out the garden of daylillies that the Raleigh Hemerocallis Club maintains near the Jaycee Module. They are quite pretty during their peak season (Which, of course, isn’t in November – when I took the photos for this post!)

When I started doing research for this entry, I had a hard time finding information about the park’s history. My gut feeling is that, like the Lions Park, it probably began as a public-private partnership post WWII. The community center opened in February of 1961. If you happen to know of a good source for info about this park, please post in the comments.

Throughout the 50′s, members of Raleigh’s Lions club donated funds, equipment and man-hours to create the initial version of this beautiful park. It quickly became one of the most heavily-visited parks in Raleigh. The park continues to be updated to meet the needs and interests of the region, even adding a BMX park that has recently been host to a national BMX event. In May of 2010, neighborhood volunteers came together for a community build day and installed a beautiful new playground in the park.

The Lions Park community center hosts programs and houses basketball courts and a weight room. The popular tennis courts and lighted ball fields continue to generate a lot of activity. This is a beautiful park and an active neighborhood hub.

This small park is a narrow strip of grass crossed by a couple of paved paths. There are several benches, most of them in the center of the park. It’s a nice place to take a break if you’re near downtown. The park sits at the north end of Chavis Way. If you visit here, I’d highly recommend taking a stroll down the wide tree-lined sidewalk of Chavis Way, south to Chavis Park. If you visit John Winters Park, I’d also recommend visiting nearby Cooke Street, a neighborhood on the edge of Historic Oakwood known for it’s yearly street carnival. Cooke Street is also home to an urban greenway.

On the day I visited John Winters Park, I had a very nice time biking from the Lions Park (I’ll be posting about it soon) to the Lane Street Mini Park, down Chavis Way and along the new Little Rock Greenway to the Walnut Creek Wetlands Center. From the Wetlands Center, you can head east or west along the Walnut Creek Greenway system. I live in North Raleigh and usually visit downtown by car. I was very pleased to find that this area of Raleigh is easily navigated by bike.

This just in (March 2011) :