With the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, there are various opportunities for parks and recreation activities for Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents.
“We’re seeing a resurgence of interest in all sorts of parks and recreation activities, be it sports or summer camps and senior programs and cooking classes,” said Fayetteville Assistant City Manager Adam Lindsay. “There’s a whole gamut of opportunities.”
One is the new Bill Crisp Senior Center in west Fayetteville. Lindsay said the center houses many programs such as cooking and exercise classes as well as a pool and a lake.
“That’s a really important feature for the residents on the western side of the city and county,” Lindsay said. “It’s a beautiful setting.”
The Bill Crisp Senior Center is among several projects funded through the $35 million parks and recreation bond package passed by voters in 2016. Other uncompleted projects include Senior Center East, a sports complex in partnership with Fort Liberty, a tennis center and extending the Cape Fear River Trail, among others.
The projects have various estimated dates of completion going into 2024 and beyond. Lindsay emphasized that the completion times are estimated because of inflation in recent years.
“We are dealing with unprecedented supply-chain issues, shortage of labor,” Lindsay said. “Nobody could have imagined the value of money and how it has changed.”
The city also offers various outdoor activities through its parks, pools and system of trails lining the Cape Fear River. Lindsay said it’s a part of the city’s military identity.
“We just are excited to see Fayetteville continue to provide amenities that I think match our community with a big military population, known to be active once in a while,” Lindsay said tongue-in-cheek. “That’s a big thing for us. We want to make sure that we’re meeting the demands of who we are.”
Oh, and there are splash pads and plenty of them — 14, to be exact.
“I like to say, and I’m going to say it because nobody can call me on it yet,” Lindsay said, “we are the splash pad capital of the world.”
Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation can be reached at 910-433-1547 or fcpr.us.
The Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at 910-426-4109 or townofhopemills.com/177/Parks-Recreation.
The Spring Lake Parks and Recreation Department can be reached at 910-436-0011 or go to townofspringlake.com and click on “Department Services.”
RECREATION CENTERS
Bill Crisp Senior Center
7560 Raeford Road
• Features: Fitness room, warm-water aquatics center, multipurpose room, arts and crafts, poetry readings, health screenings, Bingo, book club, walking club, movies, quilting, technology workshops, yoga, Zumba, aerobics, line dancing
• Contact: 910-433-1248; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/bill-crisp-senior-center
Cliffdale Recreation Center
6404 Cliffdale Road
• Features: Open gym, senior aerobics, Zumba, senior line dancing, karate, cheerleading, tutoring, athletic fields, playground
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1127; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/cliffdale
College Lakes Recreation Center
4945 Rosehill Road
• Features: Fitness center, dance, Zumba, martial arts, open gym, late-night hoops, playground, outdoor basketball
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1564; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/college-lakes
Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center
1600 Purdue Drive
Note: The facility is temporarily closed as it undergoes renovations financed by a recent bond package.
• Features: Recreation and leisure programs for people with disabilities, yoga, Zumba, open gym, Tai Chi, cooking class, Special Olympics, track, playground
• Contact: 910-433-1000; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/dorothy-gilmore-therapeutic
Eastover-Central Recreation Center
3637 Pembroke Lane
• Features: Senior fitness, home-school gym, open gym, Zumba, athletic fields, playground
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1226; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/eastover-central
E.E. Miller Recreation Center
1347 Rim Road
• Features: Youth art class, fitness room, Girl Scouts, senior features, Zumba
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1220; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/e-e-miller
Fayetteville Senior Center
739 Blue St.
• Features: Book club, aerobics and line dancing, cards and games, billiards, bingo, chair yoga, movies, computer lab, knitting club, tax preparation
• Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Contact: 910-433-1574; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/fayetteville-senior-center
Geraldine B. Myers Recreation Center
1018 Rochester Drive
• Features: Reading program, majorette dance team, open gym, fitness room, computer lab, pickleball, cards, playground
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1570; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/g-b-myers
Hope Mills Recreation Center
5766 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills
• Features: Indoor basketball court, fitness room, multipurpose room
• Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday
• Contact: 910-426-4109; townofhopemills.com/483/Parks-Amenities
J.D. Pone Recreation Center at Gray’s Creek
2964 School Road
• Features: Family game night, preschool sports instruction, fitness room, Zumba, taekwondo, senior walking club, open gym, diabetic clinic, athletic fields
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1015; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/gray-s-creek
J.S. Spivey Recreation Center
500 Fisher St.
• Features: Computer lab, outdoor basketball, splash pad, game night, outdoor basketball, athletic fields, horseshoes, outdoor volleyball, playground
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1572; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/j-s-spivey
Kiwanis Recreation Center
352 Devers St.
• Features: Baseball/softball fields; fitness room; track; open gym; preschool soccer, basketball and baseball; karate; dance; martial arts; 40+ double Dutch; bridge; playground
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1568; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/kiwanis
Lake Rim Recreation Center
1455 Hoke Loop Road
• Features: Walking track, yoga, aquatics center, athletic fields, playground
• Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1175; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/lake-rim
Massey Hill Recreation Center
1612 Camden Road
• Features: Art classes, youth group, amputee group, table tennis club, open gym, fitness room, boccia ball, outdoor pickleball, cooking on a budget, horseshoes, playground
• Hours: 1-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1569; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/massey-hill
Pine Forest Recreation Center
6901 Ramsey St.
• Features: Youth open play, fitness room, dance class, cooking class, exercise class, kickboxing class, karate, tot time, athletic fields
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1196; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/pine-forest
Smith Recreation Center
1520 Slater Ave.
• Features: Fitness center, open gym, martial arts, self-defense class, sewing class, science lab, club meetings, workshops, pool
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1571; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/smith
Spring Lake Multipurpose Community Center
245 Ruth St., Spring Lake
• Features: Full-size basketball court, fitness room, multipurpose room, classrooms
• Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday
• Contact: 910-436-0011; townofspringlake.com and click on “departments” and “Parks and Recreation”
Stedman Recreation Center
175 Circle Drive, Stedman
• Features: Open gym, walking track, Zumba, taekwondo, playground, athletic fields
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1440; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/stedman
Stoney Point Recreation Center
7411 Rockfish Road
• Features: Open gym, walking track, kids cooking class, library, Indian culture class, tutoring, karate, dance, cheer, quilters guild, playground
• Hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1435; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/stoney-point
Tokay Park and Senior Fitness Center
328 W. Hamilton St.
• Features: Exercise classes, chair volleyball, CPR certification class, health education seminars, health screenings, table tennis, fitness assessments, Mid-Carolina Senior Games, athletic fields, tennis courts.
• Hours: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Contact: 910-433-1414; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/tokay-senior-fitness-center
Westover Recreation Center
267 Bonanza Drive
• Features: Open gym, neighborhood association meetings, Girls of Grace Foundation, cards, Cricut crafts group, building models, badminton, sewing guild, aerobics, outdoor basketball, athletic fields, playground, pool.
• Hours: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1088; fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/westover
PARKS AND TRAILS
All-American Trail
Perimeter of Fort Liberty
• Features: 10- to 15-foot-wide unpaved pathway for hikers, runners and cyclists
• Contact: visitfayettevillenc.com/listing/all-american-trail/6737
Arnette Park
2165 Wilmington Highway
• Features: Athletic fields, disc golf, horseshoes, playground, tennis courts, track, trails, outdoor volleyball
• Hours: 9 a.m.-dusk in summer; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in winter
• Contact: 910-433-1547; fcpr.us/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/86/2974
Arsenal Park
801 Arsenal Ave.
• Features: Civil War trail markers; ruins of the U.S. Arsenal that was destroyed in 1865 by Union troops commanded by Gen. William T. Sherman. Part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.
• Contact: 910-486-1330; museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/arsenal-park
Cape Fear River Trail
511 Sherman Drive
• Features: 5.5-mile paved trail along the Cape Fear River between Jordan Soccer Complex and past Clark Park. Open to walkers, joggers, bicycles, rollerblades, other non-motorized transport, mountain bike trail. The trail is not a loop. Parking is available at Clark Park and Jordan Soccer Complex.
• Contact: fcpr.us/parks-trails/trails/cape-fear-river-trail
Clark Park
631 Sherman Drive
• Features: Nature Center museum, StoryWalk, playground, trails, mountain bike trail
• Hours: Trail, 8 a.m.-dusk; center, March-October, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
• Contact: 910-433-1579; fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/clark-park
Cross Creek Linear Park
324 Ray Ave.
• Features: Connects historic sites and points of interest
• Contact: fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/cross-creek-linear-park
Cross Creek Park
213 Green St.
• Features: Marquis de Lafayette statue, water fountain, track
• Contact: fcpr.us/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/188/3029
Cumberland Heights Memorial Park
1009 McKimmon Road
• Features: Green space
Douglas Byrd School Park
1616 Ireland Drive
• Features: Athletic fields, outdoor basketball court, gym, track, green space
Eastover Ballpark
2721 Ball Park Road
• Features: Pickleball courts, athletic fields, picnic shelter, playground, track
Ed Herring Park
6115 Lexington Drive, Hope Mills
• Features: Playground, picnic shelter
Ernest Freeman Town Park
192 Euclid St., Stedman
• Features: Playground, picnic shelter
• Contact: 910-323-1892
Festival Park
225 Ray Ave.
• Features: 14 acres downtown, main stage, paved promenade, walkways
• Contact: 910-433-1547; fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/festival-park
Fire Station Park
101 N. Eastern Blvd.
• Features: Outdoor basketball court, green space, picnic shelter, playground
Freedom Memorial Park
101 Bragg Blvd.
• Features: Monument to Fayetteville’s servicemen and women who lost their lives in battle since World War I
• Contact: freedommemorialpark.org/
General Lee Park
General Lee and Goodview avenues
• Features: Green space, playground
Glen Reilly Park
948 Glen Reilly Drive
• Features: Athletic fields, green space, horseshoes, picnic shelter
Godwin Town Park
4924 Markham St., Godwin
• Features: Outdoor volleyball court, track, playground, picnic shelter, green space
• Contact: 910-980-1000
Grannis Park
300 W. Parks Drive
• Features: Green space
Greenwood Park
1924 McGougan Road
• Features: Athletic fields, playground, green space
Hall Park
6060 Hall Park Road
• Features: Athletic fields, picnic shelter
Honeycutt Park
352 Devers St.
• Features: Athletic field, gym, playground, trail, picnic shelter
Hope Mills Lake Park
3609 N. Main St., Hope Mills
• Hours: Dawn to dusk
• Features: Boat ramp, playground, gazebo, observing dock, swimming
Hope Mills Municipal Park
5766 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills
• Hours: Dawn to dusk
• Features: Athletic fields, veterans memorial, skate park, dog park, playground, tennis courts, basketball court, horseshoes, picnic shelters, walking trail
Hope Playground
503 McIver St.
• Features: Outdoor basketball court, horseshoes
J.O. Humphries Memorial Park
6207 Brooks St., Falcon
• Features: Track, playground, picnic shelter
• Contact: 910-980-1355
Jessie Brayboy Park
1007 Fontana St.
• Features: Playground
Lake Rim Park
2214 Tar Kiln Drive
• Features: Athletic fields, trails, horseshoes, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, aquatics center, StoryWalk
• Hours: Winter, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; summer, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; office,
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Contact: 910-433-1018; fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/lake-rim-park
Linden Little River Park
5010 Loop Road, Linden
• Features: Outdoor basketball court, gym, horseshoes, picnic shelter, track
• Contact: 910-980-0119
Mable C. Smith Park
1367 Shadbush Lane
• Features: Outdoor basketball court, athletic fields, horseshoes, picnic shelter, playground, trails
Maiden Lane Park
200 Maiden Lane
• Features: Playground, historical interest
Martin Luther King Jr. Park
700 Blue St.
• Features: Green space
Mary McDonald Park
1530 Thelbert Drive
• Features: Playground
Massey Hill Park and Recreation Center
1612 Camden Road
• Features: Pickleball courts, horseshoes, playground, athletic fields
• Contact: 910-433-1569
Mazarick Park
1400 Belvedere Ave.
• Features: Tennis courts, athletic field, disc golf, playground, trails, fishing
• Hours: 8 a.m.-dusk
• Contact: 910-433-1575; fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/mazarick-park
Mendoza Park
1774 Little River Road, Spring Lake
• Features: Athletic fields, picnic shelter, playground, trail
New Century International Complex
7455 Century Circle
• Features: Athletic fields, gym, track, picnic shelter
North Carolina Veterans Park
300 Bragg Blvd.
• Features: Flag Day exhibit, 3,500-square-foot visitors center, service ribbon wall, N.C. Soils Wall, story, garden
• Hours: Park, 8 a.m.-dusk; visitors center, March-October, 10 a.m.-
4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday; November-February, noon-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Mondays, except on federal holidays.
• Contact: 910-433-1547 or 910-433-1224; fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/north-carolina-veterans-park
North Street Park
201 Brinkley St.
• Features: Athletic field, playground
Pine Valley Park
1000 Norwood St.
• Features: Green space
Ruth Street Park
245 Ruth St., Spring Lake
• Features: Basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, picnic area
Rowan Park/Skate Park
725 W. Rowan St.
• Features: Skate park, pickleball courts, playground, picnic shelter
Roy G. Turner Park
4623 Blanton Road
• Features: Athletic field, picnic shelter, playground, track
Seabrook Park
708 Langdon St.
• Features: Outdoor basketball court, horseshoes, playground, pool, recreation center, athletic field, picnic shelter
Sherwood Park
4770 Friar Ave.
• Features: School park
Wade Community Park
4060 Church St., Wade
• Features: Athletic field, track, playground, picnic shelter
• Contact: 910-485-3502
Windsor Terrace Park
1001 Hillsboro St.
• Features: Playground, horseshoes
Woodland Park
2208 McBain Drive
• Features: Green space
Woodrow Park
1921 Wilson St.
• Features: Playground, picnic shelter
OUTDOORS
Carvers Creek State Park
2505 Long Valley Road, Spring Lake, and
995 McCloskey Road, Fayetteville
• Features: Trails, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, picnic tables
• Hours: March-May, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; September-October, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; November-February, 8 a.m.-
6 p.m. Park office open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m. except Christmas Day
• Contact: 910-436-4681; ncparks.gov/carvers-creek-state-park/home
Zipquest
533 Carver Falls Road
• Features: Eight zip lines, three suspension bridges, three spiral staircases
• Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Hours may vary seasonally. Reservation required for tours.
• Contact: 910-488-8787; zipquest.com
SPLASH PADS
Open in Fayetteville May 1-Sept. 30. Free and open when weather permits.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday (3-7 p.m. when school is in session at Gray’s Creek, Massey Hill and Spivey recreation centers); 2-7 p.m. Sunday
• Contact: fcpr.us/facilities/aquatics/
splash-pads
Eastover Community Park
2721 Ball Park Road
910-323-0707
E. Melvin Honeycutt Park
4665 Lakewood Drive
910-433-1435
Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center
1600 Purdue Drive
910-433-1569
Gray’s Creek Park
5151 Celebration Drive
910-433-1015
J.S. Spivey Recreation Center/Christina Smith Park
500 Fisher St.
910-433-1572
Kiwanis Recreation Center
352 Devers St.
910-433-1568
Lake Rim Recreation Center
1455 Hoke Loop Road
910-433-1175
Linden Little River
5010 Loop Road
910-980-0119
Massey Hill Recreation Center
Aquatic wheelchair checkout available
1612 Camden Road
910-433-1569
Myers Recreation Center
1018 Rochester Drive
910-433-1570
Spring Lake
245 Ruth St., Spring Lake
Hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday;
1:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday
Wade Community Park
4060 Church St.
910-485-3502
Willie J. Burnette Park
4924 Markham St., Godwin
910-980-1000
SWIMMING POOLS
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Contact: fcpr.us/facilities/aquatics/pools
Ronnie “Chase” Chalmers Pool
1520 Slater Ave.
• Features: Six-lane lap pool with depth of
4 to 5 feet, wading pool, water playground
• Contact: 910-433-1137
Keith A. Bates Sr. Pool
4945 Rosehill Road
• Features: Kiddie pool, six-lane lap pool, 24-foot-high enclosed water slide
• Contact: 910-433-1382
Lake Rim Aquatic Center
2265 Tar Kiln Drive
• Features: Wading pool, water playground area, six-lane lap pool, 18-foot-high water slide
• Contact: 910-433-1018
Westover Aquatic Center
266 Bonanza Drive
• Features: Eight-lane pool with depth of
4 to 6 feet, wading pool, 12-foot-high water slide
• Contact: 910-433-1383.
DOG PARKS
Open dawn to dusk daily. Dogs outside the enclosed area must be on a leash. A small enclosure is provided for dogs that weigh less than 25 pounds; a larger area is set aside for larger dogs. All dogs must be licensed and have current vaccinations. Tags must be securely attached to the dog’s collar. Owners must supervise dogs while at play.
• Contact: fcpr.us/parks-trails/parks/riverside-dog-park
Bailey Lake
6701 Bailey Lake Road
Riverside
555 N. Eastern Blvd.
Westover
267 Bonanza Drive
