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What is your favorite local
park and why?
Anderson Park
(Highway 54 west of Carrboro)
For the ducks and new play equipment
Carrboro Town Commons Play Area
(West Main Street next
to Town Hall, Carrboro)
It has a fence so you don't have to watch so very closely. On
the downside, there is one part of the climbing equipment that
a toddler could walk right off, so then you do have to watch...!
Chapel Hill Community Center Park
(120 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill)
Great equipment, soft surface underneath, bathrooms open year-round,
always people there to talk to
It has so much to offer; more than just a playground.
Mostly because there are always other people there. The rose
garden adds an extra dimension, as does the hill.
When it's cold outside you can go to the parent-tot time (Sept-May,
Mon-Fri from 10-12) in the Community Center gym and let the kids
run off some energy!
I love the equipment but hate the pesticides they use on the
roses which makes the whole area smell.
Homestead Park
(100 Northern Park Drive off Homestead
Road, Chapel Hill)
In summer, lots of trees around, so it is not too hot
It has a great play area, with a jungle gym, double slide, and
swing set. There are also soccer and baseball fields, paths, a
pond, and picnic tables in the shade. But the bathrooms close
from October to May.
North Forest Hills Park
(Collums Road, Chapel Hill)
No swings, but good climbing equipment. There is also a picnic shelter, half-basketball court, and trail through the woods.
Oakwood Park (Intersection of Oakwood Drive and Berkley
Road, Chapel Hill)
Fenced in, plenty of swings, has shade in the summer
Umstead Park
(Umstead Road between Airport Road & Estes
Drive Ext.)
It has so many different things to do--climbing structures,
sand, water. Not great for keeping several kids contained (for
that, Oakwood Park is good because it's fenced in).
Umstead Park for the oldest kid, because the bridge, stream,
and path through the woods are a nice break from the wildness
of the playground. However, this is also my least favorite park
for toddlers, because of the stream and its much-too-easy accessibility
from the play areas
I prefer Umstead Park for my preschooler, since the playground
equipment is lower to the ground, and the park is less crowded than the
Community Center Park.
Wilson Park
(Williams Street, off
North Greensboro Street, Carrboro)
New equipment, not as crowded as some other parks
For additional information on local parks see:
Chapel Hill Parks
& Recreation Department
Carrboro Recreation
& Parks Department
What is your favorite place to play indoors?
- Carr Mill Mall (200 North Greensboro Street,
Carrboro). Bring a ball, push toy, or stroller. Run around then
get a pretzel!
- Carrboro
Century Center (100 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro) sometimes
offers Toddler Extravagance. They have plenty of toys, music and
tents ($2 fee)
- Carrboro
Recreation & Parks Department sometimes offers inexpensive
kids shows
- Chapel Hill
Community Center gymnasium (120
South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill) during parent-tot time (Sept-May,
Mon-Fri from 10-12)
- Greensboro
Children's Museum (220 North Church Street, Greensboro)
- Kidzu
Children's Museum (105 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill)
- Museum of Life
and Science (433 Murray Avenue, Durham)
- Northgate Mall, Durham, riding the Dentzel
carousel
- Playspace
(410 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 150, Raleigh)
- Southpoint Mall, Durham, has a great play area
- University Mall (201 South Estes Drive, Chapel Hill)
- Mothers Club playgroups!
Where are your
favorite childrens' gym classes?
- Gymboree Play & Music of Chapel Hill/Durham
(4810 Hope Valley Road, Durham)
- Little Gym (2501 University Drive, Durham)
- Sport Art Gymnastics (2200 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill) has
parent/tot gymnastics starting from 16 months. I see lots of Moms club members
there. Parents catch up and the children get exercise! Teacher Nancy is great!
Last Reviewed: March 2006
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