Tour 3 playgrounds in Cary, Apex and Wake Forest

See these parks live today! Beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, tour three new parks and playgrounds without leaving home. Join Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL’s lifestyle editor, and others on the WRAL Family Facebook page for a live video tour.

In the Triangle area, parks are becoming more of a destination than simply a place to swing, slide and play.

Splashpads, snack bars, giant slides, accessible play structures, outdoor venues, public art and botanical gardens are only some of the features bringing families to new and developing parks.

Many families are anticipating the new playground under construction at Dix Park, which is slated to become Raleigh’s version of “Central Park,” according to organizers.

More than 20 park projects are underway in the city of Raleigh, some coming with features like edible gardens, boardwalks over water and other jaw-dropping additions firsts in the Triangle’s playground and park scene.

There’s also a new 300-acre park planned near Garner and Fuquay-Varina. Beech Bluff County Park will feature trails, community gardens, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a wildlife viewing platform, classrooms and more.

In the last year alone, three new playgrounds opened in Apex, Cary and Wake Forest, attracting hundreds of families.

Pleasant Park, Apex

Families can spend several hours at Pleasant Park, one of the Triangle’s newest playgrounds.

Pleasant Park opened in Apex late last year at 3400 Pleasant Plains Road. The star feature of the park is its 35-foot-tall tunnel slide, but the park also features an “Enchanted Forest” with nine inclusive play villages for kids of different ages and abilities.

Splashlantis, a new splash pad at the playground, opened in May. Unlike other splashpads in the area, Splashlantis is gated and has staff attendants to keep the splashpad from becoming overcrowded. If the splashpad isn’t crowded, playtime is unlimited. In the event of a crowd or lines, the water in the splash area will turn off in 10 to 15 minute increments to let other waiting guests play.

The giant playground area features small structures for younger kids and sky-high climbing structures for big kids. There are bridges, spinning play structures, ropes to climb, a zip line, rock wall, “miniature carousel” and more. There’s a natural playground area with a ground-level slide, climbing structures and more.

Tour Pleasant Park in Apex

The landmark 35-foot slide is quite impressive, too high for even active toddlers, and climbers will have to move confidently through a ropes course to make it to the very top.

Pleasant Park, including the splashpad, is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Downtown Cary Park

The Downtown Cary Park opened in November with giant cardinal slides and a splashpad — but it’s so much more than a place to play. Residents approved a $68 million bond project to develop the park.

The six-acre park features ponds, a waterfall, walking bridges over bubbling streams, gardens, event space and nature-based areas. There is an amphitheater, a grab-n-go market, picnic areas, multiple dog parks, a dog bar and playgrounds for kids of all ages.

A central feature called “The Nest” is home to two enormous red cardinals, which are part of a children’s play area, where kids can climb and peer through the eyes of the giant birds — allowing a bird’s eye view of the park below.

Tall, winding slides and stairways for kids are built into the cardinals and the very landscape itself. There are also “acorn” playhouses for children to play inside.

There is a smaller playground for babies and toddlers and a splash pad for all ages to enjoy. There are also multiple fenced-in dog parks, part of Cary’s dog park system — including a play area with tunnels and other whimsical features just for small dogs.

Tour Downtown Cary park

The concept is unlike any park in the area. There is even a circular “Bark Bar” in the middle of the dog park where dogs can get snacks and drinks.

At night, people can enjoy three cozy fire pits, where Cary officials envision hosting s’mores nights. The fire pits, which are covered, can be reserved for private events.

Holding Park, Wake Forest

The Town of Wake Forest opened the Holding Park Inclusive Playground in early 2024. Located at 133 W. Owen Ave., this large playground was designed for children of all abilities with wheelchair accessible entrances, rides and slides and a mix of sensory-rich play experiences.

The playground includes double-wide ramps to accommodate children using mobility devices, so they can reach the slides and utilize them as well. The Inclusive Orbit Spinner is a zero entry merry-go-round that is wheelchair accessible as well.

Sensation is also a major part of the park with multiple sensory experiences including outdoor musical equipment and outdoor interactive games.

“A lot of the design of this playground was about engaging all senses. There is a musical element with a xylophone, drums,” said Olivia Atkinson, the town’s specialized programs and inclusion specialist.

The play surface itself is a poured rubber, which provides a stable surface for mobility devices to move. The entire playground is also enclosed by fencing.

Tour Holding Park in Wake Forest

In addition to the playground, the five-acre Holding Park site also includes the Wake Forest Community House, Holding Park Aquatic Center, picnic tables, grills and a basketball court.

Best playgrounds in the Triangle

Find more playgrounds based on your child’s age, interests or needs: