Raleigh’s Gipson Play Plaza in Dix Park gives kids, families, dogs space to play
For the past two years, every Monday, Marenda Rose has taken her three children to a different park in the Raleigh area, giving them a chance to play and explore new spaces.
On May 24, as her young sons, Samuel, age 4, and twins Austin and Asa, age 2, climbed the towers, darted through the maze, splashed near the waterfall and dug in the sand bowl at Dorothea Dix Park’s newest addition, the Gipson Play Plaza, Rose decided it was time to add this one to the list.
“We’ve been to a lot of parks,” Rose said. “This one is super nice. It’s huge. ... It’s right in the middle of the city, conveniently located, and they’ve got all the seating because we always bring snacks.”
Rose was among a small group of visitors who got a sneak peek at the new 18.5-acre Gipson Play Plaza, set to officially open on June 6. The plaza is one of the first major additions to Dorothea Dix Park and is located at the entrance of the 308-acre park, just off Lake Wheeler Road.
After nearly three years of construction and five years since the concept was first introduced, the Gipson Play Plaza now offers a wide range of inclusive features designed for all ages. Highlights include a 91-foot-long swing, shaded seating areas, a splash pad and access to the newly renovated historic House of Many Porches, which houses a grab-and-go market and café serving coffee and wine and offering a cool, air-conditioned retreat.
The park was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates with the play equipment made by Richter Spielgeräte and shipped from Germany, according to the city.
“There’s definitely elements to the park that you won’t find in other places,” said Alexis Fox, who was at the park preview playing with her 3-year-old son. “There’s lots of space so you don’t have to worry about it being crowded or anything like that. Coming here makes me more interested in what Raleigh also has to offer as they’re building out new parts.”
‘Cornerstone of the park’
Tom Gipson sat on a bench near the Fountain Plaza on Saturday, enjoying a mango popsicle as children played nearby. The area includes amphitheater-style seating and an interactive waterfall designed to echo those found in Western North Carolina.
Gipson and his wife, Pat, were instrumental in making the Play Plaza a reality, donating $10 million toward the nearly $70 million project. Their contribution, alongside funding from a $275 million bond approved by Raleigh voters in 2022, helped bring the vision to life. In recognition, the plaza, which claims to be the largest in the Southeast, is named after the Gipsons.
As he looked out over the new space, Gipson remembered his childhood in a small town in upstate New York, where his father once built a large swing from an electric pole for him and his siblings.
“It was an incredible gift to my five siblings and me, but it was also an incredible gift to our community because everybody from our town was welcome to come play on our swing and they did,” Gipson said. “That spirit continues here. We’ve built something for our whole community.”
Ruffin Hall, the CEO of the Dix Park Conservancy, said the goal for the city is for the Play Plaza to become another destination for Raleigh residents and visitors.
“This is a transformational moment for Dix Park,” Ruffin said. “This gift, this contribution, is going to help elevate all of the other elements that are going to be involved with Dix Park that will open up people to participate and enjoy the park that perhaps they maybe have heard of but haven’t been here or haven’t experienced it.”
Gipson called the new area the “cornerstone for this park.”
“This journey of excellence we have started with this play platform is a journey we need to continue,” he said.
‘Not just bright-colored plastic’
Stephen Bentley, director of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, said the park was intentionally designed with multiple generations in mind. Accessibility was also a priority, ensuring that people with disabilities can fully enjoy the plaza’s many features.
Details like the design of the Watermill Mountain, made from blue stones from North Carolina, and sunscreen dispensers, were also strategically planned, he said. The plaza, like the park, is free and Bentley imagines it will be a site for many school trips.
“Everybody is welcome to come, whether from Raleigh, from Carrboro or from Charlotte,” Bentley said. “No matter where you are from, you’ll be relatable.”
Kia Martin explored the sensory maze with mirror illusions and musical elements, with her dog, Tyson.
“(Tyson) is living his best life,” Martin said. “Thankfully there’s lots of places he can go.”
Lauren Freudenberger and her son Miles were all in it for the natural elements of the play plaza like the plants, sunlight and water features.
“It’s not just like bright-colored plastic,” she said. “It’s very natural and tasteful.”
Jan Tran came with her kids, 16 and 13, and her nephew, Theo, 6 months, from Garner.
“I like the openness,” Tran said. “Not only does it offer just a regular playground, but I think it just gets all the kids moving constantly. It’s just so interactive.”
Gipson Play Plaza grand opening and hours
The Gipson Play Plaza hours will be:
- 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. May through September
- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. October through April
A ribbon cutting is set for June 6 at 4 p.m. and a grand opening is scheduled for the following days, June 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The weekend festivities will include live music, lawn games, food trucks and a light show at night.
▪ The plaza has 10 restroom cabanas with spaces to change clothes; one of them has a private shower. No smoking, drugs, alcohol or vaping are allowed in the plaza.
▪ Dogs are allowed in the plaza except in the market, water play areas or on the playgrounds.
▪ More features and details about the plaza can be found at dixpark.org.
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This story was originally published May 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM.