Here’s a list of 7+ playgrounds & parks in the Triangle for the whole family
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A look at inclusive playgrounds around the Triangle
- Triangle parks add ramps, communication boards, spinners and sensory spaces.
- Inclusive design and ADA accessibility together serve diverse children’s needs.
Cindy Ehlers wanted a place where her all of her children, with and without disabilities, could play.
“It became one of these things where I realized, as a mom, they couldn’t play together,” she said. “There were barriers in just the way the playgrounds were constructed that weren’t really necessary.”
She approached her job, Trillium Health Resources, and together they built New Bern’s first inclusive playground in 2015. Since then Trillium — which provides mental health, substance use and disabilities services to about half of the state — has built 43 inclusive playgrounds across the state including in some of North Carolina’s most rural counties.
“One of the things that is probably the most important thing, is the playgrounds really normalize that we’re all different,” she said. “And so it’s not making the kid that’s in the wheelchair or blind sit on the sideline because they can’t integrate. These settings make it so that we’re all kind of there playing together, and it normalizes that experience for every child that’s playing. It also normalizes it for their family, right? Their mom and dad don’t have to feel like their kids the outcast.”
Accessible playgrounds in the Triangle
The Triangle has a growing number of inclusive playgrounds, including a first-of-its-kind playground that recently opened in Garner, The News & Observer reported.
The town of Cary also opened another inclusive playground at Davis Drive Park, holding a celebration for the event 10 a.m. - noon on Saturday, April 11.
“The Davis Drive park inclusive playground represents more than a place to play; it’s a space where everyone can feel a sense of belonging,” said John Collins, director of Cary’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department, in a news release. “We’re proud to continue advancing inclusive recreation opportunities for our community.”
In Durham, there are five parks with accessible play features, said Anthony Giudice, spokesperson for the city’s park and recreation department.
”Inclusive design supports children of all abilities by addressing a wide range of needs, such as communication boards for children with limited verbal skills, sensory-friendly quiet spaces, and play features designed with considerations for hearing, vision, mobility and autism,” he said. “Whereas, accessibility, guided by ADA requirements, ensures playgrounds can be used by children with mobility challenges and that caregivers can actively participate and engage with them during play.”
The “inclusive and accessible” design ensures the parks are usable and meaningful for everyone, he said.
Here’s a look at some of the inclusive public parks in the Triangle.
Cary’s Davis Drive Park
- Playground: New playground at Davis Drive Park
- Location: 1610 Davis Drive, Apex
- Amenities: A communication board, accessible swings and play equipment along with “physical, sensory and social experiences for children and families.”
- Website: https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/parks-greenways-environment/parks/davis-drive-park
- Other notes: The park also includes a half-mile trail and parking for a trailhead at the White Oak Creek Greenway, a shaded picnic area, soccer fields and basketball court.
Laurel Hills in Raleigh
- Playground: Sassafras All Children’s Playground at Laurel Hills Park
- Location: 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh
- Amenities: The playground has large wooden play structures, tunnels and bridges, that can be accessed with a wheelchair, among other amenities.
- Website: raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation
- Other notes: Raleigh also has accessible play structures at Marsh Creek and Method parks.
Garner Recreation Center
- Playground: Garner Recreation Center
- Location: 215 W. Main St., Garner
- Amenities: An at-grade spinner or merry-go-round, a lower-level jungle gym, a sign language board, communication boards and the park is fully fenced in.
- Website: garnernc.gov/departments
- Other notes: Two other accessible features, including a playground and splash pad, are planned to open at White Deer Park later this year.
Cary’s Marla Dorrel Park
- Playground: Marla Dorrel Park
- Location: 111 Thurston Drive, Cary
- Amenities: A large dragon that children can play on, multisensory playground, accessible ramps and swings, accessible sand table and play structures. There are also adult-sized changing tables and extra room for strollers and wheelchairs at the restrooms.
- Website: carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment
- Other notes: The park connects to the pedestrian overpass and links to MacDonald Woods Park.
Pleasant Park in Apex
- Playground: Pleasant Park
- Location: 3400 Pleasant Plains Road, Apex
- Amenities: An “Enchanted Forest” with nine inclusive “play villages” that are wheelchair accessible, a raised sand table and cozy structures for children with sensory needs.
- Website: apexnc.org/1163/Pleasant-Park
- Other notes: Apex plans to renovate the play area at Apex Community Park for to be fully inclusive and replace the accessible playground at Kelly Road Park.
Chapel Hill Community Center Park
- Playground: Chapel Hill Community Center Park
- Location: 120 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
- Amenities: Wheelchair accessible play equipment including swings and merry-go-round, and a sensory area, among other amenities.
- Website: chapelhillnc.gov/Events-and-Activities
Durham’s Sherwood Park
- Playground: Sherwood Park
- Location: 1720 Cheek Road, Durham
- Amenities: The city recently demolished its former playground and tennis court to build an inclusive playground, including an inclusive spinner, swings and communication board.
- Website: dprplaymore.org/facilities
- Other notes: Durham also has accessible play structures at C.R. Wood Park, Merrick-Moore Park, Whippoorwill Park and W.D. Hill Recreation Center.
Knightdale Station Park
- Playground: Knightdale Station Park
- Location: 209 Main St., Knightdale
- Amenities: A wheelchair-accessible glider, two communication boards and bright colors for visually impaired individuals, among others.
- Website: knightdalenc.gov/things-do
- Other notes: Harper Park in Knightdale also has an accessible carousel, swings and two communication boards.
Did we miss your favorite inclusive playground?
Send reporter Anna Roman an email at amroman@newsobserver.com, and we’ll add it to the list. Have other story ideas, tips or questions? Fill out this form or email ask@newsobserver.com.
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 2:03 PM.
