WHAT’ S NEW
Director’ s Message
I am thrilled to share with you the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Program Guide, expanded this edition to cover the programs and activities offered from September 2025 through August 2026. We invite you to experience the special events, athletic leagues, cultural programs, and activities that we offer in our recreation facilities and parks. We’ re excited this year to add a third youth basketball and volleyball season to provide additional opportunities for young people to participate in our recreational leagues. We will continue to add more programs throughout the year, so be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter, follow us on social media, and check our website periodically for updates.
Construction on both projects will begin later this fall with a completion target date of spring 2026. The improvements at White Deer Park are funded by the 2021 Parks Bond.
Garner Recreation Center Inclusive Playground
Located at the southwest corner of the GRC multipurpose field, this new inclusive playground will feature a play structure with slides, a rope climber, a zero-entry merrygo-round, and shaded swings. A rubber safety surface will provide ease of access to children( and their adults) who use mobility aids. Construction will begin this fall and the playground is targeted to open in late fall. The GRC playground is funded in part through a grant from the N. C. Parks & Recreation Trust Fund – Accessibility for Parks program.
Over the next several months, we look forward to some notable park improvement projects:
White Deer Park Splashpad and Playground
Garner’ s first splash pad will be built adjacent to the existing playground and lawn area on the east side of White Deer park. The splash pad will feature push-button activated spray nozzles, a tall bucket drop, and all sorts of features to cool kids off.
Nearby, the former nature play area is getting a major facelift with an all-new nature inspired inclusive playground featuring a tree house, a hillside slide, swings, spinners, and interactive music features. The playground is designed to maximize enjoyment for children of all abilities through a sensory-rich environment and accessible features.
Yeargan Park Update
We’ re thrilled to see Yeargan Park coming to fruition. Master planned in 2021 and funded by the 2021 Park Bond, Yeargan Park Phase 1 will include four multi-use sports fields( two natural grass and two synthetic turf) and a large picnic shelter with restrooms. The park will also feature an inclusive play area, designed in collaboration with the playground experts at Landscape Structures Inc.( LSI), a company recently named to the Forbes 2025 Accessibility 100 ifor their innovations in inclusive play. Located on East Garner Road in downtown Garner, Yeargan Park is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
We are fortunate to serve a community that is actively engaged and supportive of parks and recreation. I hope you will take time to check out this program guide, share information with friends and neighbors, and enjoy our parks and recreation facilities.
Maria Muñoz-Blanco Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
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