Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Park is located at the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve, Wilmington, NC. The…read morepark is free and there is a small & free parking lot beside the park. We were very impressed with this park & preserve in Wilmington, North Carolina. Even though we came early in the morning, it got sweltering hot fast. We walked the paved and unpaved trails. I read that this was a good area for birdwatching yet we didn't see any birds in the park. People are encouraged to come early in the morning to ensure a parking spot and to avoid the crowds. We came early the morning in mid July to avoid the heat and crowds. Shade is limited. Sunscreen, insect repellent, and cameras are strongly recommended. This preserve & park have Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews. They thrive in the acidic, boggy soil. Wilmington is one of the few places in the world where these plants naturally grow and flourish - one of the unique hidden gems about Wilmington and an ideal destination for nature lovers. There are winding easy to walk paths through the preserve & park. Informative signs along the trail provide insights into the plants in the park. Visitors will notice sitting areas along the trails with benches to enjoy the scenery and plants.

Nice little preserve for plant lovers! Well preserved and lovely viewing docks with stools.read more

So much to do at this park from walking trails, to a nice playground and the inside educational…read morearea with fun for kids. We definitely could have spend hours here and we will be back!

Great playground, activities for kids, and walking/biking trails. You can usually catch a good…read moregroup of kids from different age ranges for playtime and trees provide plenty of shade. Highly recommend for a Saturday with the kids!

I was a little surprised to find that this park was not listed on Yelp yet. It's been around for a…read morewhile. The park is located in The Bottom neighborhood in Downtown Wilmington. The city lists it as 401 S. 8th Street, but the park borders S. 10th, Ann and S. 8th Streets. Quick Summary - It's a city park - One Pavilion - Baseball field that also used as a soccer field - There is a swimming pool - Several tennis courts that are also used for pickle ball - One playground area for kids - Very large open field Additional information The park is in an up and coming area. It's safe to visit but I would probably not hang out after dark. Dogs are allowed but not in the tennis courts or ball fields. No doggy poop bag stations so bring your own bag. The large field has lots of ant mounds so keep that in mind while you are walking across it. Not sure if the city tries to control the ants or not. They will bite your ankles if you let them. Every now and then a few jack wagons will ride their dirt bikes and 4 wheelers through the park, so watch out for that. You also get a lot of litter along the sidewalk on Ann Street from pedestrians and passing cares. Some folks just give a crap.

Overlooking the Cape Fear River near the heart of Wilmington, Orange Street Landing offers a quiet,…read morescenic retreat just steps from the city center. This modest riverside platform invites visitors to pause and take in the view, with the water shimmering through the trees and the hum of downtown just out of reach. The space is enhanced by several striking sculptures from Wilmington's Pedestrian Art program. 'White Dwarf' stands out with its stainless steel and bronze construction, evoking the dense beauty of a collapsed star. Nearby, 'Cloud' floats with whimsical charm, its industrial materials softened by playful design. 'Winter' adds a contemplative note, suggesting stillness and seasonal introspection. These pieces do more than decorate the space. They offer moments of reflection and surprise. As inviting as the view may be, it's wise to watch your step. The wooden boardwalk has a few uneven planks, and some are weathered enough to leave a splinter if you're not careful. Still, Orange Street Landing remains a lovely spot to linger, especially if you're exploring the Riverwalk or heading toward Wilmington's historic district. It's a small but meaningful example of how public art and civic space can quietly enrich the everyday. [Review 1355 of 2025 - 4474 in North Carolina - 24907 overall]

Enjoyment and peace to me refers to no obsessions, no negative anticipations, a humbled amount of…read moreself-pride, emotions blending with my surroundings, and an acceptance of one's self-imposed introversion. Unlike others, I think I have found mine. It is a place (a Park) where you would feel in awe listening to "Unchained Melody." Five days a week, I take two family members to a park about a mile and a half from our home. The ride to the park is filled with sparkling eyes, hyperkinetic movements, window smears, a few gasps of air from the slightly lowered back windows, and figments of light-colored hair floating around in our truck. When I enter the main gate, one is taken back by not only the neatness but the simplicity of it all - spacious parking spots, immaculate cement sidewalks, paved pathways, well placed quasi overlooks, kempt rest areas, clean water fountains, attractive gazebos, and strategically located benches. All surrounded by a forest of 30' to 80' pines. This park was thought out well by people who knew what they were doing - "You built it and we will come." Maintenance is always ongoing and efficiently done. No sitting around here - on a morning schedule four wheelers, rakes and truck loads of different types of material are coming and going! As I get out of the truck and walk around the parking lot to the main path through the park, my two friends become more excited and look at me with wonderment. This is their "Disneyworld" and they want to get there as quickly as possible. They love not only the setting but their friends who are waiting for them. My gait hastens and my arms feel the vigor of their excitement. We acknowledge others who walk by us and on occasion a new tender bond is formed by my friends and an unexpected empathic acquaintance (a handsome Greyhound, poodle, labrador, Jack Russell, or German Shepard). The distance from our vehicle and the section of the park that is emboldened in my friends' is about a quarter of a mile; it is covered rather quickly. Our destination is in the northeast section of the parks 42 acres. It was built in 2023 - 2024 and opened in 2025. The dog runs are divided into two sections - large dogs go to the right and small dogs (under 14" at the shoulder) go to the left. There are double gates for each entrance along with a cement pad in between. The park grounds are covered with sand, and the trees are trimmed about 10' from the base. There is a multitude of young trees that have been coppiced. The trees are separated strategically by about 4 to 12 feet to allow for safe running and play. A water fountain and a doggie bag container are at the entrance. The sand base is very accommodating. When it rains, it dries quickly. There are always more people in the large dog 1-acre area. Some people come to the park based on their employment schedule. Sometimes just by the hour, other times it is by the day or days of the week. One woman takes her two dogs from park to park. No one asks or inquiries about others employment status, financial well-being, type of car that they drive, political ideation or health. The interactions here are very neutral, friendly, and unconditional. No ulterior motive, no vanity, no ego yet some self-deprecation. It is extraordinary to find such people and such a place. They are truly an egalitarian group with the common denominator being dogs. At times, an occasional slip of a personal situation or problem comes forth - "Kimberly was married while you were gone... my doctor mentioned Alzheimer's... I was unconscious for a month after the accident... my brother died - he could never get off the drugs." And we learn in a moment of spontaneous but unintentional sharing that some of the men and women are representative of different professions and lifestyles from computer operators to physicians to housewives and househusbands to engineers to accountants to college students to bartenders to public school teachers to university professors to police officers to business executives to stay at home father's and retired guys like me. See Part 2

I like this park, great walking trails, picnic areas, a lot of the trails are shaded, specific dog…read morerunning areas, the only downside, I would think the county is paying for cleaning of the restrooms, or I would hope and if they are it's typical workers these days that do nothing because no one is checking behind them. If not?! Then the county has failed to give us a clean area for kids and grandkids to go to the parks.

This is a great community park, I like how accessible it is to the surrounding area. Bike lanes are…read morefound on streets around the park, so grab your favorite cycling buddy and check this place out. (I believe the cross city trail is connected) The size is decent, for the location, I can't complain! The main loop doesn't take long to walk and includes a scenic bridge. The bridge allows you to look below, and spot hungry turtles. You can tell people love to feed them, because they quickly move towards anyone standing on the bridge, in hope of being rewarded with food. Please, do not feed the turtles or any other wildlife. Bread is not a part of their diet and for more information, read the signs posted along the path explaining why it is harmful to feed wildlife. This park is located around water so be careful when bringing younger children. A fun playground was located near the restrooms and picnic area.

One of our favorites. Wetlands great paved trail, bridge you can watch turtles. Very quiet…read morebeautiful stroll.

Nice little (emphasis on the little) park, right under the bridge in downtown Wilmington. The park…read moreis mainly used for it's boat launch, taking photos with the bridge and neighbors walking their dogs. It consists of a small parking lot, a green hill, a couple benches with close up views of the Cape Fear River. Lately I've been exploring our local parks a lot more and I'm insanely impressed with the NHC Parks & Rec, after what I've found. Dram Tree, though, I wouldn't really consider a "park," but rather a picnic spot and/or photo backdrop. It's cute and I'm glad I visited, but won't really be hanging out here or recommending to anyone other than tourists looking for a unique date spot.

Yeah...it's small but wow...what a view of the Port City's bridge and Cape Fear River. I believe…read morethe parking lot is larger than the park, itself, so it's a cute place to meet up with someone or to just get away from the hustle and bustle for a few. This park offers no playground for young children but offers a few patches of greenery to relax the mind. Nothing spectacular but the view is welcoming.

This is an incredible place to go for local events, and to step away into nature. The river walk…read moreitself is beautiful and quiet, and the park offers a wonderful playground and event space. If you live anywhere in this area and haven't been here, you should go immediately.

What a beautiful spot in Leland! With plenty of paved parking, it's a perfect place to be on a nice…read moreday. We lucked out too! I was looking for a place for my daughter to get the energy out and, with good reviews, headed toward Riverwalk Park. It just so happened to be their Christmas market and fair - with face painting, vendors, special treats and games. My little one could have cared less about the aforementioned happenings. She cares about playgrounds and this park had one of the best we've seen. It was crawling with kids, so even better for entertainment! She played for hours. There was plenty of space, nooks and crannies for kids to run and do their own thing. The equipment all looked in good repair and the park was very clean. Everything is surrounded by mature trees so the playground was shaded during our visit. As lunch approached, we walked over to the water for some calm & relaxation. There are a couple of boat ramps, though I believe I was there at low-tide as one looked inaccessible. There were also a couple of swings to sit and look out over the water. I noted a walking trail as we were leaving and would certainly return to see the rest of the park. I was very impressed with my first visit here.