Anderson Community Park

(12 reviews)

4.9 mi

This updated review is for the turf soccer fields. The youth Rainbow soccer league uses these for…read moreweekly practices. These are nice fields that don't really end up needing to be closed from rain since they are turf. The parking lot can get very crowded. I recommend backing into a parking spot so you can exit a little easier.

Went on a Saturday- I will say a fair number of dogs were unleashed which is never good in my…read moreopinion. We had to turn around a couple of times to avoid other dogs off leashes. The parking at the soccer field area wasn't bad but I do know it gets packed at that soccer field but there was also a playground and a couple of trails (the longest was about 1.1 miles so we did a couple). The trails were relatively easy to follow and had posts with color coordination. Overall a really close spot to me so will be visiting again. I do think the trails could be longer but overall are nice. Next time will visit the water with the overlook.

Cushion playground turf

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Charles Herman Wilson Park

4.5

1.6 mi

Nice park for kids, my daughter attended a third birthday there. Lots of things for smaller kids to…read moreplay on.

This park is so pretty, with beautiful hiking trials to roam. I have come here several times with…read moremy partner, and we love this space! It also has a great park and tennis court area, where we often see members of our community gathered. I love coming to this park. It's a local gem.

Morgan Creek Trail

2.7 mi

It's a pretty decent place to walk in there are paved areas, which is nice, but there aren't very…read moremany places that indicate trails lengths or where to go. It's not that huge that I think anyone would get lost and it's very wide open. All dogs on the trail while we went were leashed which was great. Pretty nice place for a picnic with large open grounds. No bathrooms or water that I saw but did have it's own parking lot (although small)

I usually don't like paved trails, but beggars choosers sometimes. Definitely great for wheelchairs…read moreand slow walkers. I will say there's enough natural elements to distract from the huge concrete sidewalk extending the entire length of the path, which ends up emptying into a community and another fitness path (has outdoor equipment stops) on one end and a pasture of wild flowers (mostly common milkweed for monarch butterflies) roughly midpoint. At the pasture the trail is definitely NOT paved and rather rough to navigate. If you have problems walking, be cautious, yet try experiencing it in the spring and late summer to catch glimpse of the butterflies and their caterpillars eating away before their chrysalis stage. There's a small parking lot at the beginning of the trail big enough for 20 cars. This includes a couple handicap spots. I've been there twice now on the weekend and I've lucked out to find a few spots open. Once you park DON'T head for the tempting metal bridge. Go in the opposite direction where you'll see the regulations sign. Then you'll know you're in the right spot!

Closeup of the Morgan Creek Trail sign.

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Southern Community Park

4.5

(13 reviews)

4.0 mi

This a really nice park with well maintained trails. They are paved and clean. If you see a walking…read moreenthusiast this park has many options for a short or long hike/walk. There's also a clean shelter for rent and a fun play area for kids. Lots of dogs walking today too. It's peaceful and relaxing here.

Nice quiet atmosphere for adults or kids, this is my go to spot for walking and getting exercise. I…read morerecommend this spot because it's safe and secluded.

Dog meeting.

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Saxapahaw Island Park

(15 reviews)

12.2 mi

Easy trail around the island with nice river views. Good for beginners but lots of rocks and tree…read moreroots on the path.

Excellent Park to visit. Lush vegetation and a well worn trail that runs along the edge of an…read moreisland in the middle of the Haw River. Great views of the Haw River. Nearby is a great Cafe to go to also.

Haw River

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Vegetation

Bolin Creek Greenway

4.2

(20 reviews)

3.1 mi

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.

Storywalk for the kiddos!

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Umstead Park

4.4

(5 reviews)

2.4 mi

This is notably a place where you can find parking for the greenway trail, as well as picnic…read morefacilities, basketball courts, and a few other amenities. Despite it being slightly chilly, the parking lot did fill on the midweek day I stopped in, so it is a popular place.

Beautiful park and nicely shaded for a cooler hike. Not overly populated. It wasn't marked like…read moreother trails I've been on so compass skills were useful.

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Umstead Park

Battle Park

3.8

3.5 mi

Battle Park is right in the heart of Chapel Hill and UNC. We were just in Chapel Hill for the day…read moreand decided to explore Battle Park on our way to the Gimghoul castle. Battle Park is a small urban park - very forested - and quite beautiful! Worth exploring if you're in the area! And a great place for runners!

LOVED IT. MY FIRST YIME HIKING. Beautiful day beautiful hike. Moderate to easy trailread more

Ah, Fall in the forest...

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Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

4.6

(10 reviews)

5.8 mi

This preserve is a great place to walk, jog, and bird. Although they don't allow bikes or horses…read morefor the trail - they do allow LEASHED dogs. (DO NOT HAVE UNLEASHED DOGS ON THE TRAIL- it's irresponsible regardless of how good they are) There are coyotes out there and a fair amount of wildlife. The trail we went on was about 2miles long and has water areas, the path is very obvious and there is signage. Highly recommend it- only down side it the parking lot is quite small.

Beautiful trails! We really enjoyed our hike. We had 3 kids with us and they had the best time…read moreexploring! Definitely recommend hiking shoes if it's been a bit wet out - the trails were pretty muddy the day we visited.

Dogs love to drink and cool off in it, Thai dogs are highly trained and with collars just in case so don't if your dogs aren't trained

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Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

4.1

(22 reviews)

38.0 mi

I loved this! There's something for everything it's very family friendly too. If you're an adult…read morethis will take you back to your childhood. I can see how this is an all day affair. The life guards were very attentive. This is the perfect summer time activity or even date. We brought a cooler with sandwiches and Gatorade, you'll def want to utilize that perk of bringing your own cooler. I really like that you also can buy admission without waterpark access , different strokes for different folks! Everyone's covered and considered in their ticketing

Such a fun place to take kids or if you wanna be a big kid yourself! I like how they have teenagers…read more(maybe some college kids) working there. They're all so friendly and welcoming! Gives them an opportunity to earn some money during the season. We got the aquabana as they call it, for half a day (4 hours) and it was worth it ! We didn't swim but the kids did and they had a blast! You're able to bring a cooler with food and drinks ( juice, tea, soda, water. No alcohol) they have a food truck on site, as well as a "dirty soda" stand. Flavored sodas with cream (very popular in Utah but slowly making their way to the east coast) as well as a first aid bungalow. Everyone gets a life vest but kids under 18 MUST wear theirs at all times! I like that rule! Keeps the kids safe. Of course the teens working there are certified lifeguards just in case! They also offer scuba classes/lessons at the quarry. Would I come back? YES! Maybe one day I would try the courses and swim or paddle board but the go around it was nice relaxing and letting the kids live carefree in the lake!

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Exchange Swimming Pools

(6 reviews)

2.3 mi

The Exchange Pool saved our Covid Summer! Our family has been going to Exchange Pool for two…read moresummers now. A great family atmosphere. The Exchange Pool went above and beyond during the 2020 summer with Covid precautions. Clean, careful, and professional. I look forward to returning 2021.

It's the little pool that could. Yeah, it's not exactly luxurious and if you are used to…read morehigh-falutin' pools like at the Tennis Club you might not be exactly impressed but it serves a vital purpose for the community and with reasonable memberships you can be okay that there isn't a snack bar and upscale amenities or a baby pool WITH a fountain. It's been home for the Cyclones , a local swim-team for kids preschool-12th grade, which keeps them conditioned, learning and honing their strokes and developing team building skills. This experience has been invaluable to many in the community. They have ample room for adult swimmers during adult swim. The kids all look like they are having a great time whenever I have been there.

The FARM At UNC

6.0 mi

We're lucky to have friends that are members that occasionally bring us as their guests!…read more The pool is great and we love the shallow end for the younger kids. The Grill also has a good selection of items for meals or just a quick snack. We have also been to the clubhouse area and playground for some parties and events.

In Chapel Hill, "The Farm" refers to the private club of the UNC Faculty-Staff Recreation…read moreAssociation. It's kind of like a country club, but without a golf course. There are tennis courts, pickleball courts, swimming and diving pools, outdoor rock climbing walls, a gym, an outdoor basketball court, disc golf, beach volleyball, a clubhouse, playground, three shelters (pavilions) with wooden tables and benches, and more. Actually, it's more like a private park than a private country club. In terms of how nice The Farm is, I'd say it's on a public park level. When I saw The Farm is private, I was thinking it would be nicer and perhaps higher-end. Instead, it felt more like a small city park that happens to be private. My wife has been here multiple times for various UNC events. I attended one of the events with her. It took place at The Farm's clubhouse, the adjacent pavilion, and the playground. It was a family-friendly event. Parents brought their children who played on the playground. Food and drink were set up inside the clubhouse's kitchen. The clubhouse and overall grounds and facilities that I saw were modest. The shelter had string lighting lining the ceiling. The tables had a lot of what looked like dried-up paint/finger paint on them, presumably from kids' activities. It makes sense since the playground was right next to us. Also nearby was a bunch of bamboo which made for a good backdrop for group photos. During our Saturday afternoon visit, I saw people playing beach volleyball and the pool(s) looked busy. The Farm is located east of UNC campus, not far from the Chapel Hill-Durham border. It's off 54, accessible via Barbee Chapel Rd, just past UNC Finley Golf Course. It's due south from the Rizzo Center (south side of 54).

Google Street View image captured in August 2019 of the roadway entrance to The Farm. View facing south down Barbee Chapel Rd. Street sign.

Map of The Farm from The Farm's website.

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Putt Putt Golf & Games

4.5

(8 reviews)

21.2 mi

Amazing greens! This place is clean and entertaining! It has 2 courses and we will return to play.read more

Such a cute putt putt golf course. My husband & I have come here on a couple of date nights. We…read morealways have a lot of fun & it is very affordable. Plus the staff is always very friendly!

Arcade/gameroom

View of front course #2

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Gameroom/arcade

Sandling Beach at Falls Lake

(6 reviews)

24.1 mi

The beach is spotless, with no trash anywhere. You'll see a few hair ties and bottle caps, but…read morenothing major. The sand is coarse because of scattered pebbles and bits of wood, so bring floppers for comfort. The water is clean and safe. Two large buildings are available for changing and showering. Picnic tables sit under the trees, and grills are open for cooking. The park has multiple trails, a children's playground, and it's dog‑friendly for walking. Entrance fees: $10 per vehicle, $5 for seniors.

Sandling is a man made beach within Falls Lake State Park. They charged $10 for the holiday…read moreweekend entrance fee. Sandling is accessible to the fire pits for barbecuing and is very small. Perfect for families and small children. You can access the beach on Creedmoor Rd. This was the perfect place for a convenient beach day 4th of July weekend. It saved me the 4 hour trip to Bear Island. I arrived early around 10:30 a.m. and there were no crowds. We camped out near the showers and bathrooms. This park is perfectly lined with trees in abundance. Perfect for barbecuing. We enjoyed our morning picnic and the water was very relaxing. I appreciate how clean the sand area was and the garbage was well organized as well. I brought my mother who is 72 and I had concerns about the proximity of the restrooms and showers and overall access. I was relieved to discover how convenient the beach access was for those with mobility impairment and disabilities. There are no pets allowed and no alcohol permitted. I watched the park rangers escort someone with a pit bull to the parking lot to return home and a woman was asked to dump out several beer cans. You have been warned. They run a tight ship here. I plan to return throughout the remainder of the summer months.

View of the beach from the sand. (Cloudy at this time)

Lake Beach

Beachfront

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Afton Nature School

3.7

(3 reviews)

1.9 mi

Our family did not have the best experience. Initially my little was excited but then claimed they…read morefeared returning and would cry.

Afton Nature School is a wonderful preschool. ANS was recommended to us by the parent of a current…read morestudent. We toured several preschools, but our tour with Afton was by far the best of them all. The classrooms are bright and open, the teachers are wonderful, and the students are truly exceptional by any standard. Our child was welcomed with open arms by all of them and watching her thrive in this school has been a great joy. The teachers are patient and thoughtful, and the communication with them is open and transparent. Parents are welcome to volunteer, which I was able to do on a few occasions. Watching the kids learn through play and feed on one another's creative energy was incredible. Our experience with Afton Nature School has exceeded our expectations.

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Anderson Community Park - parks - Updated August 2026

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3.8

(9 reviews)

This uncreatively named park offered a frisbee golf hole or two, a playground no one was at, and a…read morebathroom that was falling apart and pretty unpleasant. My reason for selecting it to spend some time as was that I could park in the shade for free, which is not as easy as one might hope in this area. It served that need, and a brief jaunt around some paths was fine, but the facilities needed some repair.

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Swepsonville River Park

4.0

(1 review)

You can park at the lower or upper access, I recommend parking at the upper if you aren't paddling…read more It is about a two mile walk that doesn't loop. The trail is very sandy in some parts so be prepared for that, I also recommend wearing bug spray. We had a blast walking out onto the rocks. You can also play in the river, bring a picnic or go fishing.

Sandy Creek Park

4.7

(6 reviews)

Amazing little trails tucked into Durham! Has its own parking which is great but does fill fast…read more There's a lot of amazing wildlife to see from crawfish to many species of birds. The first time I went was with Audubon for a walk and saw red headed woodpeckers and others. The downside and why it gets minus one star- the ease of flooding in this area means some trails may not be accessible after a heavy rain. Also during warmer months the mosquitoes are insufferable even with bug spray. But there are trails for dogs, bikers and walkers.

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Historic Occoneechee Speedway

4.3

(14 reviews)

This is a great place to go for a walk. It's a loop so you don't have to worry about getting lost…read more The path is well maintained and you can take a stroller on it with no problem. There is some bits of history that will surprise you along the way. Lots of free and easy access parking.

Just under 1.5 mile hike from the parking area. Easy trail with signs and well maintained. This…read moreoriginal track was a half mile horse track built by Julian Carr for okonochee farms. It was later expanded and used by NASCAR, active from 1948 -1968. It is the only surviving dirt speedway from NASCAR's inaugural 1949 season! Such a fun adventure to explore this site and see what remains!

Southern Boundaries Park

4.3