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BEST RATED DURHAM, NC PUBLIC PARKS

3 Best Public Parks in Durham, NC

Expert-recommended Top 3 Public Parks in Durham, North Carolina. All of our parks actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Durham Central Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Durham Central Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Durham Central Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Best Public Parks in Durham NC - Durham Central Park video
11+ YEARS IN TBR
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DURHAM CENTRAL PARK

(5.0 Score)
501 Foster Street,
Durham, NC 27701 Directions

Since 2008

Specialty:

✓ Swings and Play Areas ✓ Ice Skating Rink ✓ Expansive Open Space Areas ✓ Kids’ Playing Zones ✓ The Great Lawn Gathering Space ✓ Children’s Playgrounds ✓ Jogging Tracks ✓ Pavilion ✓ Prudential and Butterfly Garden ✓ Bathrooms ✓ Walking Trails ✓ Aquatic Center ✓ Tennis Courts ✓ Park Benches ✓ Beautiful Landscaped Areas ✓ Mount Merrill Hill Area ✓ Botanical Gardens

"Durham Central Park has all of the amenities that make it the perfect spot for weddings, parties, and corporate events. The park puts on fun events, concerts, and festivals all year. The park includes field lights, a greenway, trail access, a recreation center, a skatepark, and a refreshing water fountain. The pavilion is 9,000+ sq. ft. and has covered event space. This is an excellent skate park for kids. There is some greenery and benches for relaxation. The park has pockets of greenery and benches, offering visitors plenty of spots to relax and enjoy. There are many open green spaces and hidden gems to discover in this park, including artistic seating and beautiful gardens.

2026 Update: Durham Central Park is an elegant place filled with natural beauty and man-made wonders. The park also includes a leash area for pets."

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License #0383792

Price:

Pavilion Rentals
Friday-Sunday
Per Hour 6 Hour Minimum $70
Monday-Thursday
Per Hour 2 Hour Minimum $40

Contact:

(919) 794-8194

Open 24 Hours

TBR® Inspection Report:

Piney Wood Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Piney Wood Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Piney Wood Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Best Public Parks in Durham NC - Piney Wood Park video
8+ YEARS IN TBR
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PINEY WOOD PARK

(4.9 Score)
400 East Woodcroft Parkway,
Durham, NC 27713 Directions

Since 2003

Specialty:

✓ Fun Slides and Play Structures ✓ Swings and Kids’ Play Areas ✓ Scenic Waterfalls ✓ Picnic Areas ✓ Covered Seating Areas ✓ Cycling Paths ✓ Aquatic Center ✓ Statue ✓ Gardens ✓ Bike Rides ✓ Aquarium ✓ Lake ✓ Monument ✓ Field Lights ✓ Stone Benches ✓ Baseball Field ✓ Water Fountain ✓ Restroom ✓ Athletic ✓ Children’s Playground Spaces ✓ Expansive Green Spaces ✓ Multiple Playgrounds

"Piney Wood Park is a large park with plenty of rental space, playground fun, and outdoor activities. The park has an athletic field, field lights, picnic shelter, bucket swing, tennis courts, and a water fountain. Piney Wood Park has tennis courts, pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness station, and kids' play equipment. The park also features engaging play equipment and climbing structures for children's enjoyment. This is a great family place and is a lovely dog park as well. The park has swings, slides, and monkey bars for kids to play. There is plenty of space for dogs to roam around and at least one fenced area.

2026 Update: Piney Wood Park also features various amenities, including grill areas, a spacious Parking Lot, restrooms and Swings for the convenience of the visitors"

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Price:

Tickets Starts From $5

Contact:

(919) 560-4355

Mon-Sun: 7am - 6pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Forest Hills Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Forest Hills Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
Forest Hills Park - Durham, NC Public Parks
11+ YEARS IN TBR
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FOREST HILLS PARK

(4.9 Score)
1639 University Drive,
Durham, NC 27707 Directions

Since 1930

Specialty:

✓ Fun Slides and Play Structures ✓ Decorative Water Fountains ✓ Children’s Playgrounds ✓ Kids’ Activity Grounds ✓ Designated Picnic Areas ✓ Food Truck Zones ✓ Picnic Tables and Seating ✓ Historic Working Mill ✓ Aquarium Attractions ✓ Fishing ✓ Blanket ✓ Monument ✓ Trail Access ✓ Kayaking ✓ Boating ✓ Statue ✓ Woods ✓ Hiking Trails ✓ Playground ✓ Stone Benches ✓ Restroom ✓ Tennis Courts ✓ Lake ✓ Wildlife

"Forest Hills Park is a 45.86-acre public park that offers an accessible playground where area residents can cool off during warm weather. The park has pickleball-lined courts, a tennis backboard, a water fountain, a playground, a bucket swing, a sprayground, and a water fountain. The park is a multi-purpose park for family and kids' entertainment that includes sports fields and a disc golf course. Forest Hills Park has ample parking spaces. Forest Hills Park is a nice place to walk, jog, and exercise in the morning. This is a very clean park with many benches to sit and relax and features several pieces of equipment for kids to play. The park also has ample parking spaces, making it convenient for visitors.

2026 Update: Forest Hills Park features a barbecue grill, Swings, wheelchair-accessible car parking and leash areas for dogs."

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Price:

Daily Fees
Youth & Teen (Ages 0–18) City Resident Free
Youth & Teen (Ages 0–18) Non-City Resident $5
Adult (19+) City Resident $3
Adult (19+) Non-City Resident $8
Senior (55+) City Resident $2
Senior (55+) Non-City Resident $7

Contact:

(919) 560-4355

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TBR® Inspection Report:

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DURHAM CENTRAL PARK REVIEWS

Common Roots, Asian Heritage festival. Very well thought out festival. There were games to engage all attendees to get in touch with their heritage. By completing the activities, you get a reward of either a Booba tea or a Samosa. Performances were interactive too.

I love the park! It’s a really great area with a bunch of shops around. I always have fun watching the skaters, siting the various shaded areas, or going to the farmers market.

Great area. Beautiful trees. Had to spend time at the market place

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PINEY WOOD PARK REVIEWS

I had my first Pickleball experience at this park last week! The pickle ball courts are amazing! What a fun game! It’s a beautiful park with the Pickleball courts nestled in the trees. The soccer field is also very nice! I went in the mid afternoon timeframe and there was plenty of parking.

Just played at the opening day of the 12 court pickleball facility. The courts are great to play on and many thanks to the DPR staff and DAPP members involved for making these courts available for the community!

My dogs and kids love this place! They had large areas for them to run and play. And the other dogs played very well. My kids enjoyed bringing the fur kids to Piney Wood dog park!

FOREST HILLS PARK REVIEWS

I took my 3 year old son to this park and he really enjoyed it. It has a big playground and two swing sets with lots of field space to run, play, and enjoy your family. It was very peaceful. There is even a pavilion space adjacent to the playground.

Lovely little pitch and putt disc golf course, gets muddy sometimes but I play there regularly. Nice tennis courts, great playground and good fields where our little guy does soccer shots.

My favorite biking route…and you got several places to eat along the bike lane!

TBR® Inspection Score Report

DURHAM CENTRAL PARK Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Experience: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

PINEY WOOD PARK Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Experience: 9
Reviews Study: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Current Evaluation: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

FOREST HILLS PARK Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Complete Info: 9
Current Evaluation: 9
Reviews Study: 9
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Website Source: 10