Pullen Park

2013 Thanksgiving & Christmas Park Events

by

2012 Holiday Express @ Pullen Park
2012 Holiday Express @ Pullen Park

With the holidays quickly approaching, I wanted to compile a list of all the kiddo-friendly activities taking place at nearby Raleigh parks.  The events below are either organized through the Wake Co Parks & Rec, City of Raleigh Parks & Rec or JC Raulston Arboretum.  Some of the events require pre-registration so be sure to follow up for more information and let me know which ones I’m missing! And be sure to visit TriangleExplorer.com to see a complete list of Christmas parades, concerts and more.

Turkey Time at Crowder District Park – Sun, 11/17 from 2-3pm; $5/family; for all ages

A Side of History: Pilgrims at Play at Historic Yates Mill Park – Fri, 11/22 from 11am-noon or 2-3pm; $5/family or $3/individual; for all ages

Holiday Wreath Making at Durant Nature Park – Sun, 12/1 from 2-3pm or 3-4pm; $5/person; ages 5+

Home School Day: The Spirit of Giving at Historic Yates Mill Park – Mon, 12/2 from 10am-noon; Free; ages 7+

Children’s Wreath Workshop at JC Raulston Arboretum – Tues, 12/3 from 9:30am-noon; $35/member or $45/non-member; ages 6-12

Garden Buds Winter Fun at JC Raulston Arboretum – Fri, 12/6 from 10-11:30am; $10/member or $12/non-member; ages 3-5

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Clause at Historic Yates Mill Park – Fri, 12/6 from 11am-noon; $4/child; ages 5-7

IMG_2470Holiday Express at Pullen Park – tickets are only available for Fri 12/6, Fri 12/13 & Sun 12/15; 4-9pm; $8/person; all ages

Sleigh Rides & Cider at Oak View County Park – Sat, 12/7 from 5-7:30pm; all ages

Handmade Holidays at Historic Yates Mill Park – Sat, 12/7 from 1-4pm; $4/person; for all ages (ages 6 and under require accompanying adult)

All American Girls Create & Play – Sat, 12/7 at Kiwanis Park from 10am-noon or Sat, 12/14 at Optimist Park; $15/person; ages 5-11

Little Holiday Creations at Lions Park Comm Ctr – Sat, 12/7 from 11-11:45am; $5/person; ages 4-6

Poinsettia Open House at JC Raulston Arboretum – Sun, 12/8 from 1-5pm; FREE; all ages

Holiday Card Making at JC Raulston Arboretum – Tues, 12/10 from 9:30am-noon; $25/member or $35/non-member; ages 6-12

Holiday Ornaments at Five Points Center – Tues, 12/10 or Tues, 12/17 from 1-3pm; $20/person; all ages

German Christmas Papercutting at Pullen Arts Center – Thurs, 12/12 from 7-9pm; $10/person; ages 16+

Holidays Open House at Mordecai – Fri, 12/13 (noon-4pm); Sat, 12/14 (10am-4pm); Sun, 12/15 (1-4pm); FREE; all ages; call 919-857-4364

Wake Audubon’s Winter Bird Count at Historic Yates Mill Park – Sat, 12/14 from 8-11:30am; no fee shown

Walnut Creek Christmas Bird Count at Walnut Creek Wetland Center – Sat, 12/14 from 7am-noon; FREE; all ages

Holiday Tours at Mordecai – Sat, 12/14 from 5-10pm; $5/person; all ages

Holiday Crafts for Little Hands at Millbrook Exchange Comm Ctr – Sat, 12/14 from 9:30am-10:15am; $10/person; ages 3-5

Holiday Ornaments for Young Crafters at Millbrook Exchange Comm Ctr – Sat, 12/14 from 11am-noon; $10/person; ages 6-10

Holiday Cookies and Milk with Santa – Sat, 12/14 at Anderson Point Park from 10-11am or Sun, 12/15 at Lake Lynn Comm Ctr from 1:30-2:30pm; $8/person; ages 18months – 8yrs old

Holiday Gifts from Nature at Durant Nature Park – Sat, 12/14 from 2-4pm; $4/person; ages 6-12

Holiday Stop, Drop & Shop at Laurel Hills Comm Ctr – Sat, 12/14 or Sat, 12/21 from 9:30am-2pm; $20/person; ages 6-11

Holiday Workshop at Lions Park Comm Ctr – Sat, 12/14 from 10:45-11:45am; $5/person; ages 4-10

Winter Wrap Up at Crowder District Park – Sun, 12/15 from 2-3pm; $5/family; for all ages

Holiday Wrapping Paper at JC Raulston Arboretum – Tues, 12/17 from 9:30am-noon; $25/member or $35/non-member; ages 6-12

Little Sprouts: Sparkling Snow at Historic Yates Mill Park – Wed, 12/18 from 1-2pm; $4/child; ages 3-5

Winter Tree ID at Lake Crabtree Park – Sat, 12/21 from 1-3pm; $5/family or $3/person; ages 7+

Winter Hayrides at Harris County Lake – Sun, 12/22 from 1:30-3:30pm; $5/family or $3/individual; for all ages

Winter Break at Lake Crabtree Park – Sun, 12/22 from 1-3pm; $5/family or $3/person

Christmas Games & Crafts at Harris County Lake – Mon, 12/23 from 12-4pm; $16/child; ages 7-12

Pullen Aquatic Center

by

This post originally appeared on Southwestraleigh.com where you can learn more about how to live, work, and play in the Creative District.

Looking for a place in the Creative District to swim laps, practice your diving skills, or splash with the kiddies in the wintertime?

Visit the indoor facilities at Pullen Aquatic Center. The center is located at 410 Ashe Ave, just North of the newly renovated Pullen Park.

There is a large 50 meter x 25 meter Olympic-size swimming pool, a warm-water teaching pool, overhead balcony for spectators, nearby bleachers, diving boards, and large locker room areas.  The large swimming pool area has about a dozen lap lanes set up with varying availability.  In addition to lap swimming, you can also sign up for water exercises, the swim league, swimming lessons, and more.

The warm-water teaching pool is perfect for taking the kiddies in during the cold winter months.  The shallow area has a gentle incline that eventually reaches to 4ft deep on the far side.  We visited on a popular Friday morning when the warm-water pool opens at 9am for public use.  Rafts aren’t allowed in the pools, but they do have life vests available.

Even though the locker room area and pool deck are showing their age, this is still a great place to play in the wintertime.  Whether swimming for exercise or play, you’ll enjoy your time at Pullen Aquatic Center.  Be sure to check the prices and hours before making your next visit.

Thumbs up: warm-water pool, number of lap lanes available, convenient pool hours

Thumbs down: aging of the locker room area and pool deck

Pullen Park

by

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