Month: December 2011

Brier Creek Park

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Wow, it’s amazing to think how much the Brier Creek area has changed from when I first moved there almost 9 years ago!  I didn’t recognize most of the streets or shopping areas, which may be why I got a bit lost on our way to Brier Creek Park, the park of our second day of Christmas.

Brier Creek Park is located right next to Brier Creek Elementary School. Even though the address is 10810 Globe Rd, you actually enter from Bruckhaus St unless coming by foot, where there are sidewalks galore leading to the paved walking trail inside the park.

Inside this park, you’ll find basic features. There’s a large covered pavilion with nine picnic tables and large grill, public restrooms, two soccer fields, and a small playground for ages 2-12. The playground has a few structures for climbing on and around and a few slides. The surface is made of the spongy material, which is great for the crawlers. Even though it’s a small playground, it’s probably a great place for younger siblings to burn off some energy when the older ones are playing soccer nearby.

Thumbs up: walk ability, pavilion area, large open recreational fields

Thumb down:  little shade and landscaping, no swings on playground

Laurel Hills Park

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On the first day of Christmas, we came across swings, rings, and other things!  I’m talking about none other than Laurel Hills Park located at 3808 Edwards Mill Rd near Crabtree Valley Mall.  With all the great features this park has, it’s also super easy to access regardless of where you’re coming from in the Triangle area.  It’s also very close to Glen Eden Pilot Park and Crabtree Creek Trail on the greenway.

Laurel Hills is mostly known for the All Children’s Playground.  This truly is a playground for kids of all ages, even being accessible for kids with disabilities.  There is a large tot area with four tot swings, rings, monkey bars, tires for climbing through, and a slide.  The tot area also has a slightly spongy surface, which is nice for the crawlers.  Just a few feet from the tot area is the older kid playground, which is an enormous wooden, castle-like structure over a sandy surface.  It has bridges, towers, tunnels, tires for crawling through, amazing places for hide and seek, slides, and monkey bars.  There are 6 swings and the most impressive tire swing I’ve ever seen.  Two girls were having the best time on the tire swing as their dad tried to keep up with their laughs and gasps by sending them higher with each swivel! The nearby pavilions, picnic tables, and benches are convenient for keeping a close eye on the young ones as they play.

There has been much talk over the past few years of reconstructing the playground (it’s 20 years old now) but funds have to be raised first.  Visit Sassafras All Children’s Playground to learn more about the plans and how you can help.

In addition to the playground, this park also has a large community center used for group rentals, open gym, recreation programs, and other activities.  There’s also a large pavilion with picnic tables and charcoal grill.  If you’re looking for outdoor recreation, there is a large soccer field, two lighted baseball fields, two basketball courts, and a paved walking trail.  The restroom facilities near the pond are very nice and even have a child changing station.

Thumbs Up: All Children’s Playground, tot swings, climbing areas, small pavilions near playground, walking trail, community center, recreational facilities, tire swing, proximity of different playgrounds to each other

Thumbs Down:  no sidewalks from Edwards Mill Rd to inside park

Twelve Days of Raleigh Parks

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So, my friend, Kelly (see Sarah Duke Gardens post) has started a tradition of doing Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies that involves some 28 sticks of butter, pounds of sugar and flour, and different types of candies to make twelve different homemade batches of cookies.  Instead of getting elbow-deep in flour and sugar, Ashley and I are going to get knee-deep in some playground sand!  For the next 12 days, we’ll visit a new park each day and then hopefully get a mini-post added shortly thereafter.

If there are parks you’re looking for more information about or have suggestions for a park we should visit in Raleigh, please send them our way!

Boyce Farms

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Looking for a way to spend a gorgeous Sunday Funday outside while celebrating the Christmas season?!  Why not pack up the family (don’t forget the dog) and head out to your local Christmas tree farm at Boyce Farms in North Raleigh. Since volunteering here as part of the Raleigh Jaycees fundraiser, I’ve made choosing our tree at Boyce Farms part of our Christmas tradition.

Boyce Farms is a family-owned and operated farm located at 2813 Mount Vernon Church Rd. The tree farm is open Mon-Fri from noon-7pm and Sat-Sun from 9am-7pm.  You can choose from a huge selection of fresh cut fraser firs from the NC mountains or choose and cut your own tree right on the farm.  Every year I’ve gotten a tree from Boyce Farms, I’ve always been incredibly pleased with the quality of the tree.  The tree needles stay on longer, the fresh fir scent lasts through the New Year, and even with our slack watering the tree doesn’t dry out.  The prices are also incredibly reasonable…this year our 7ft tree only cost $42!

The experience at Boyce Farms wouldn’t be complete without the help from the friendly staff.  Once you pick out your tree, they carry it to the tree shaking machine to clear away the few dead needles, cut off any branches near the trunk, run it through the netting machine, and then securely tie it to your car.  They also have a great selection of pine roping, fresh wreaths or centerpieces, tree stands, and more.

The Raleigh Jaycees will be out there again today selling treats and helping folks find the perfect tree, so be sure to stop by and you’ll quickly make it part of your Christmas tradition too!

Thumbs up: friendly staff, quality trees, reasonable prices, fun Christmas atmosphere

Thumbs down: nothing to report

Pullen Park

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A few weeks ago, I went to the Pullen Park VIP Event with my friend, Jason, from southwestraleigh.com.  This post originally appeared on southwestraleigh.com, where you can learn more about what a great place South West Raleigh is to live, work, and play.

Excitement was in the crisp Fall air during the Pullen Park preview event on Thursday afternoon and it’s not going to die down any time soon.  Children played on swings, adults rode the newly renovated carousel, and the train sounded off when leaving the station.  It’d been nearly two years since the amusement area had been open and the smiles say it all – it’s well worth the wait.

Pullen Park is located at 520 Ashe Ave, just west of Downtown Raleigh and at the edge of NC State University.  The renovations to the amusement center cost more than six million dollars and are part of the 2003 Parks & Rec Bond Referendum.  During the renovations, the Pullen Arts Center and Aquatic Center remained open.

Upon entering the park, your eyes are immediately drawn to the new sign extending across the walkway.  Near the entrance is the new Pullen Place, serving healthy, local fare at very reasonable prices.  Adjacent to the cafe is a large outdoor eating area, restrooms, and the Welcome Center where you can learn more about the park, purchase tickets for rides, or purchase park schwag.

If you head right, you can explore the various playground and climbing areas, swing sets, sand and water play areas, misting fountains, tire swing, and open play areas.  The different play areas have guides indicating the ages appropriate for the equipment.

Also in this area is a restored caboose with seating inside for having a picnic.  Smaller children can also enjoy a boat ride for one ticket.  A must-see attraction is the CP Huntington miniature train ride, which is great for all ages and a beautiful way to explore the park from the perimeter.  The views of the park from the train, especially around the lake, are gorgeous.

Another main attraction at the park is the carousel.  With over 50 hand-carved animals, it is a Dentzel Carousel housed in a gorgeous new building.  Among the animals you can ride are pigs, ostriches, horses, and billy goats, just to name a few.  The Wullitzer organ produces music that sets the mood.  The Pullen Park emblems outside the building provide a royal touch to the carousel.  The weather vein atop the building is unique in that it contains colored glass and animals other than just horses.

Heading from the carousel to the lake, you’ll pass a large pavilion with picnic tables, another restroom building, the pedal boats, and the Andy & Opie statue. Be sure to stroll around Lake Howell, where you can admire the waterfront views, stop for photo ops, or enjoy the fauna.  The new bridges are spectacles in themselves, adding a rolling hills feeling to the park.

With so many things to do, see, and hear at Pullen Park, you may not notice the attention paid to the small details.  The cedar shakes, green color palette, emblems, new landscaping mixed with mature trees, and stonework are also worth mentioning as it all adds to the atmosphere of the park.

The park’s grand opening was Saturday, November 19 from 10am-6pm.  Be sure to also purchase tickets for Holiday Express, where Pullen Park is transformed into a Holiday Wonderland from December 8-11, 4pm-7pm.

Thumbs up: playground area, views around lake, carousel, unique details in woodwork/design, miniature train ride, Pullen Place

Thumbs down: not many, but parking may be tough, especially in the beginning months