Parks
GRAHAM REGIONAL PARK & BILL COOKE PARK: Beginning the week of November 18, the water fountains at Graham Regional Park and Bill Cooke Park’s Dog Park will be turned off for the season’s freezing temperatures ahead. Remember to grab your water bottle for park visits!
HAW RIVER TRAIL PADDLE ACCESS: Restrooms at the Haw River Trail‘s Graham Paddle Access are closed for the season.
SOUTH GRAHAM PARK: The sandstone walking track is undergoing repairs due to drainage/erosion issues and will also be widened. There may be times when the track will need to be closed. This project will be underway until further notice.
Parks
Graham Regional Park
Bill Cooke Park
South Graham Municipal Park
Oakley Street Park
Greenway Park
Marshall Street Park
Harman Park
Graham Regional Park
Graham Regional Park
1575 North Jim Minor Road
Haw River, NC 27258
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
About Graham Regional Park
Graham Regional Park opened on April 12, 2017, the first 18 acres phase features: a youth challenge course, a zipline, a paved accessible mixed-use trail (.3 mile), a swing-set, slides, climbing boulders, a landscaped water feature, workout equipment, bike rack, a Little Free Library, and plenty of open green space to play and for all types of recreational activities.
Graham Recreation & Parks opened the newest playground addition to Graham Regional Park, the playUNITED Inclusive Playground, in September 2020, which provides a play space for children of all ages and abilities. A place where all can play together…grown-ups too! Read below about the project and special features.
In the spring of 2024, additional playground features were also added to the natural playground area. Special thanks to Impact Alamance and the Friends of Graham Recreation & Parks Community Volunteer Board for funding to bring more fun opportunities to your local park!
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks, on walking tracks, and along the trails. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Shelter Reservations
Graham Regional Park features one open-air picnic shelter. Reservations are recommended for the use of the picnic shelter for scheduled events. First come, first served if there is not a reservation. Park Shelter reservations are available Year Round (November – March available from 10:00am – 2:00pm only). Includes a covered grill & electricity. (The shelter located by the playUNITED Inclusive Playground is first come, first served only.)
Shelter Size: 27′ x 44′ = 79 capacity, seating for 36
Times: 10:00am – 2:00pm OR 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Fees:
Graham Resident $25 per reservation period
General Public $50 per reservation period
What to Know Before Renting a Shelter
Reserve A Shelter
Please contact the Graham Recreation Center for more information about reservations at (336) 570-6718.
The playUNITED Inclusive Playground
The newest playground in Graham’s parks system provides a play space for children of all ages and abilities. A place where all can play together…grown-ups too!
The Graham Recreation and Parks Department opened the newest addition to Graham Regional Park, the playUNITED Inclusive Playground, in September 2020. The playground was funded in part by a $500,000 Connect NC bond grant. It was designed with the assistance of teachers from the Department of Exceptional Children of Alamance-Burlington School System, intended to provide a play environment that addresses the physical and social needs of all ages and abilities. It’s a space in which families can actively engage and play. The playground features a poured-in-place rubberized surface; zero entry*, double wide decking to access two large play units featuring multiple slides, play panels, climbing opportunities, and a rocking feature; a double zip line featuring a Zero-G seat**; several swings featuring expression swings and Zero-G seats; a merry-go-all; two colorful “shadow play” elements; semi-confined, safe areas that allow children to choose when or if they will fully engage in the play environment; shade structures; multiple benches and the entire playground is secured by fencing. The Inclusive Playground qualifies as a National Demonstration Site for PlayCore. It is the belief of the Graham Recreation and Parks Department that this playground will be life-changing for the residents of Graham and the surrounding area.
The Graham Recreation & Parks Department was an NCRPA Promotes Healthy Play & Recreation Statewide Initiative Awardee. As a National Demonstration Site (NDS) for an Inclusive Playground, look for the sign by the playground (coming soon!) and scan the QR Code on site to tell us how you used the space through the NDS User Reflection Survey. You can be part of a national initiative on the community value of play & recreation!
*Zero Entry is a universal design that provides easy access for all users.
**Zero-G Seat is a swing that promotes inclusivity and assists children who require additional support.
playUNITED Inclusion Policy – The Graham Recreation and Parks Department (GRPD) is committed to creating and promoting inclusion across all spaces, places, facilities, and programs the department manages. The inclusion policy entitled playUNITED will guide the GRPD when developing facilities and programs, and establishing supporting practices to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation. playUNITED Inclusion Policy
Sunflower & Crimson Clover Project
May 26, 2021, was the beginning of a great partnership with the Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation District and we have continued this partnership into 2024. In the large field at Graham Regional Park, we came together to plant a pollinator plot using the district’s no-till drill. The seed mix consists of soybeans, iron clay peas, buckwheat, sorghum, and black oil sunflowers. Not only does planting a mixture of seeds help our pollinators, but it also provides cover and seeds for small mammals and birds, as well as keeps the soil covered and protected from erosion. Special thanks as well to the City of Graham’s Public Works Department for helping us plant the field!
In the Fall, we plant the field with a cover crop of Crimson Clover. The benefits…cover crops improve soil quality and weed suppression alongside other uses. Crimson Clover (nitrogen fixer) gives your garden a green boost…and is great for our pollinators!
Plan Your Visit:
- When visiting, be sure to just look and not pick, to save the view for others…and our pollinator friends.
- Please keep children and dogs from wandering into the field
- Dogs are welcome, but keep dogs on a short leash in hand and clean up after your pet
- Wear closed-toed shoes and be prepared for uneven surfaces around the field
- Bug spray & sunscreen are recommended
Follow us on Facebook for updates!
The Future of Graham Regional Park
To view future plans for the expansion of this park, please visit the Future Park Plans. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on projects!
Request for Proposals for a Site-Specific Master Plan
Bill Cooke Park
Bill Cooke Park
1010 Townbranch Road
Graham, NC 27253
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
About Bill Cooke Park
Bill Cooke Park has three lighted baseball fields, six lighted tennis courts with backboard hitting wall (2 courts are lined for Pickleball), one outdoor basketball court, two open-air picnic shelters with covered grills, a playground, restrooms, a paved accessible mixed-use trail (.9 mile), sandstone walking track (5 laps = 1 mile) nature trail (.25 mile), historic farmhouse structure, and a dog park.
When using the mixed-use trail, please use the outside lane for walking and running. The inside lane is for bicycles, rollerblades, and non-motorized scooters, ride clockwise. Bicyclists yield to pedestrians.
The playground at Bill Cooke Park features areas for children ages 5-12 and 2-5, with swings, a covered seating area, and swinging benches. The playground is located by Field #3 and the open-air Shelter #1.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks, on walking tracks, and along the trails. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Shelter Reservations
Bill Cooke Park features two open-air picnic shelters with covered grills. Reservations are recommended for the use of the picnic shelters for scheduled events. First come, first served if there is not a reservation. There are also several other free-of-charge picnic areas located throughout the park offered on a first come basis. Park Shelter reservations are available Year Round (November – March available from 10:00am – 2:00pm only). Includes a covered grill & electricity (no electricity available in Shelter 2).
Shelter 1 (located by the playground & ball field #3): 49′ x 31′ = 101 capacity, seating for 60
Shelter 2 (located under the trees by the dog park): 30′ x 50′ = 112 capacity, seating for 60 – no electricity available in Shelter 2
Times: 10:00am – 2:00pm OR 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Fees:
Graham Resident $25 per reservation period
General Public $50 per reservation period
Please contact the Graham Recreation Center for more information about reservations at (336) 570-6718.
South Graham Municipal Park
South Graham Municipal Park
1609 Rogers Road
Graham, NC 27253
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
About South Graham Municipal Park
South Graham Municipal Park has two outdoor basketball goals, two lighted tennis courts (two courts are lined for Pickleball), two sand volleyball courts, three open-air picnic shelters (two available to reserve), a sandstone walking track (.28 mile), a nature trail (.38 mile), a Little Free Library, restrooms, and a playground.
The playground at South Graham Park features areas for children ages 5-12 and 2-5. There are swings, a covered seating area, and swinging benches. The playground is located by open-air Shelter A.
The Nature Trail at South Graham Park is also an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot with The North Carolina Arboretum. What is an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot? “ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K-8. Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science.” Learn more, sign up online, and find ecoEXPLORE HotSpots in our area at ecoEXPLORE.
While visiting the nature trail, the creek meandering along the trail is Little Alamance Creek (LAC). The City of Burlington, the City of Graham, and the NC Department of Transportation formed a partnership committed to restoring the health of the LAC Watershed. Community engagement, education, and outreach programs play an important role in improving water quality and in the revitalization of the LAC Watershed. Learn more about the LAC and how you can get involved at Little Alamance Creek Healthy Streams Cooperative.
At the park, a native Eastern Cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides), nominated by our GRPD team, has been recognized as a Co-Champion in the N.C. Forest Service’s North Carolina Champion Tree Program! Trees within 10 points of each other are designated as co-champions and share the prestigious state title. Point values are calculated by adding the tree’s circumference, height, and ¼ of its average crown spread, with no unit conversions. The South Graham Park tree, measured on December 12, 2024, achieved an impressive total tree point value of 429 points (circumference: 284 inches, height: 116 feet, average crown spread: 115.5 feet). Its co-champion, another Eastern Cottonwood tree located in Halifax County, earned a total of 426 points.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks, on walking tracks, and along the trails. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Shelter Reservations
South Graham features three open-air picnic shelters. Reservations are recommended for the use of the picnic shelters for scheduled events. First come, first served if there is not a reservation. There are also several other free-of-charge picnic areas located throughout the park offered on a first come basis. Park Shelter reservations are available Year Round beginning in 2023 (November – March available from 10:00am – 2:00pm only).
Shelter A (large): 30′ x 48′ = 96 capacity, seating for 90 (grill & electricity)
Shelter B (small) : 28′ x 21′ = 39 capacity, seating for 36 (grill only)
Times: 10:00am – 2:00pm OR 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Fees:
Graham Resident $25 per reservation period
General Public $50 per reservation period
Please contact the Graham Recreation Center for more information about reservations at (336) 570-6718.
Sand Volleyball Court (2 courts available)
Resident/Non-Profit: $15/hour
General Public: $20/hour
Commercial: $30/hour
General Public: $20/hour
Commercial: $30/hour
Please contact the Athletics Division at the Graham Recreation Center for more information about Sand Volleyball Court reservations at (336) 570-6718.
Oakley Street Park
Oakley Street Park
409 Oakley Street
Graham, NC 27253
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
Oakley Street Park features green space, a playing field (150′ x 90′), a short walking track (.16 mile) with lighting, exercise equipment, and a playground for ages 5 to 12.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Greenway Park
Greenway Park
815 Brookgreen Terrace
Graham, NC 27253
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
Greenway Park features green space and separate playground areas suitable for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Marshall Street Park
Marshall Street Park
519 North Marshall Street
Graham, NC 27253
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
Marshall Street Park features green space and a small playground suitable for children ages 5 to 12.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Harman Park
Harman Park
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
Harman Street Park features green space and a playground area suitable for children ages 5 to 12.
Well-behaved, leashed dogs (short leash and in hand) are welcome in our parks. Please help keep our parks clean by cleaning up after your pet.
This is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, vape-free park.
Partnerships
Haw River Trail – Graham Paddle Access
Haw River Trail – Longmeadow Trailhead
200 North Main Street Pocket Park
PARKS UPDATE: Beginning the week of October 30, the water fountains at Graham Regional Park and Bill Cooke Park’s Dog Park will be turned off for the season’s freezing temperatures ahead. Remember to grab your water bottle for park visits! Restrooms at the Haw River Trail’s Graham Paddle Access will also be closed for the season.
Other Information
Ordinances
City ordinance Sec. 4-48. – “Parades, concerts, and special events; animals prohibited.” prohibits all pets/animals from any City of Graham special event.
City ordinance Sec. 12-16. – “Regulation of smoking in public places.” prohibits any type of smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco at any public place, including special events.
City ordinance Sec. 14-96. – “Selling, peddling, etc.” It shall be unlawful for any person or group to engage in soliciting, peddling, begging, or selling of any item in a park. This would include the marketing of any food merchandise within the facility unless written authority is given by the city, the recreation and parks department or its designated agents. ((Code 1983, § 9-71; Ord. of 9-1-1981, § 14; Ord. of 3-5-1996(3))
City of Graham & FAA – “Policy for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Usage in Public Parks” prohibits the flying on drones in any area occupied by people and/or at special events. City of Graham Drone Policy
ecoEXPLORE HotSpots
The Nature Trail at South Graham Park and Graham-Mebane Lake are ecoEXPLORE HotSpots with The North Carolina Arboretum. What is an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot? “ecoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K-8. Developed by The North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science.” Learn more, sign up online, and find ecoEXPLORE HotSpots in our area at ecoEXPLORE.
Need nature adventure gear? The Alamance County Public Libraries are ecoEXPLORE LoanSpots where participants can borrow day packs filled with nature science equipment to help make observations…you just need a library card!