Parks
Open-Air Shelter Rentals – CANCELLED until further notice
Playgrounds are now open. Visitors to playgrounds are encouraged to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth, use hand sanitizer or wash hands before & after use, and maintain social distancing from people outside of their households. As of 11/29/2020, playgrounds will not be sprayed with disinfectant, “it is not an efficient use of supplies and is not proven to reduce risk of COVID-19 to the public” (source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Use at your own risk.
To prepare for the cold months ahead, the Parks & Athletic Facilities team has closed park water fountains to prevent freezing. The lower bathroom at Bill Cooke Park, located by Shelter 1 is also closed at this time. The bathrooms located by ball fields 1 & 2 will remain open. Please plan your trip with water bottle in hand and stay hydrated. (As of 01/14/2021, Bill Cooke Park bathrooms are temporarily closed due to vandalism. Help keep our parks clean and safe. If you notice destructive behavior underway in the park, please contact the Graham Police Department at 9-1-1. Report Vandalism to (336) 570-6718.)
Parks
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, zip line, a paved accessible mixed-use trail (.3 mile), swing-set, slides, climbing boulders, a landscaped water feature, workout equipment, bike rack, and plenty of open green space to play and for all types of recreational activities. Be sure to stop by the sunscreen station by the restrooms before beginning your adventure!
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 shelters for scheduled events. First come, first served if there is not a reservation. Shelter reservations are accepted from April 1 – October 31. Includes a covered grill & electricity.
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 – Now Open!
The newest playground to 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!
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 National Demonstration Sites for PlayCore. It is the belief of Graham Recreation and Parks that this playground will be life changing for the residents of Graham and the surrounding area.
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!
Bill Cooke Park
1010 Townbranch Road
Graham, NC 27253
Due to 10/29/2020 high winds resulting in downed limbs and trees in parks, for your safety, the nature trail is currently closed until further notice.
Hours
Sunrise till Sunset
About Bill Cooke Park
Bill Cooke Park has three lighted baseball fields, six lighted tennis courts with backboard hitting wall, 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.
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. Shelter reservations are accepted from April 1 – October 31. Includes a covered grill & electricity.
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 sand volleyball courts, three open-air picnic shelters, a sandstone walking track (.28 mile), a nature trail (.38 mile), a wooded picnic area, restrooms, and a playground.
While visiting the nature trail, the creek meandering along the trail is the Little Alamance Creek (LAC). The City of Burlington, the City of Graham, and 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 the LAC and how you can get involved at Little Alamance Creek Healthy Streams Cooperative.
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. Shelter reservations are accepted from April 1 – October 31.
General Public $50 per reservation period
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
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 & 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
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 5-12.
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
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
Other Information
Brian Faucette, CPRP
Director
(336) 513-5510
As a child, Brian who is a native of Graham, played baseball at Cooke Park, basketball at the Graham Recreation Center and pick-up football games at S. Graham Park. He graduated from Graham High School and then UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Recreation Administration. He began his career with the Graham Recreation and Parks Department in 2001 as the Center Supervisor. In 2003 he transitioned to Program Supervisor where he began the popular Thursday at Seven concert series in downtown Graham and the synthetic Ice Rink. He also partnered with area Recreation Departments to create the Yee Haw River Paddle and has served as the athletic coordinator for Alamance-Burlington Senior Games. Brian has served on the Boards of Alamance Arts and the Alamance County Children’s Museum. In 2017, Brian became the City of Graham’s second full-time Recreation Director.
Vicky Braniff, CPRP
Centers Supervisor
(336) 570-6718 ext. 2
Vicky is a native of Pennsylvania where she attended Penn State University before moving to Wilmington and completing her Parks and Recreation Management Degree at UNC-Wilmington. She came to Graham after serving as Athletics Coordinator and Special Olympics Coordinator for Wilmington Parks and Recreation. Vicky serves on several boards and committees and assists with Alamance/Burlington Senior Games. In addition, she volunteers for NC Senior Games State Finals serving as a Tennis Event Manager. Vicky handles the management and supervision of the Graham Recreation Center, Maple Street Center, and Graham Civic Center as well as reservations and rentals for the Recreation Center, Civic Center, South Graham Park, Bill Cooke Park, and Graham Regional Park.
Tel Fehlhafer, CPRP, CPSI
Parks & Athletic Facilities Supervisor
Tel, known as the “Turf Dr.”, is a native of Illinois and attended the University of Tennessee, with an emphasis in Sports Turf Management. Tel is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of all the City’s Athletic Fields as well as the Athletic Fields at the Graham Middle School complex. Tel’s previous work experience includes working as the assistant groundskeeper for a professional baseball organization and was a head golf course superintendent for a semi/private golf course.
Steve Hadden, CPRP
Graham-Mebane Lake Warden
(919) 563-6544
Steve is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Before coming to Graham-Mebane Lake, Steve worked for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As Warden, Steve manages Lake operations and enforces Lake regulations. Graham-Mebane Lake hosts numerous fishing and ski tournaments throughout the year as well as daily boating and bank fishing.
Kristen Herndon, CPRE, CPO, MS
Program Supervisor
(336) 513-5510
Kristen is from Greensboro, NC and received her undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University in Parks and Recreation Administration. After she graduated from App., Kristen moved out west to Colorado for four years and continued to raft guide on several rivers in the state. Kristen moved back to North Carolina in 2012 and received her Masters in Parks and Recreation Administration at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Currently, she is responsible for the Mother’s & Father’s Day Programs, Slice of Summer, The Downtown Graham Ice Rink, Annual Downtown Graham Pumpkin Bash, Youth Fishing Day, Hall of Fame Banquet, and Movies in the park. Kristen also does the advertising and marketing for the Graham Recreation and Parks Department. She assists with Alamance/Burlington Senior Games and serves on many local committees. If you have any questions on the events mentioned above or would like to sponsor any of these events, please contact Kristen.
Kris Kloepping, CPRP, MS
Athletic Supervisor
(336) 570-6718
Kris is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Sport Management. His professional experience includes hospitality management, sport hospitality sales, coaching high school basketball, and collegiate game day operations. He joined the City of Graham as an intern in the athletic department in 2016. Kris coordinates year-round youth sports, including baseball, softball, spring & fall soccer, t-ball, flag football, and basketball. He also coordinates various youth summer athletic camps, clinics, and manages all athletic facilities. Kris also serves as Basketball Coordinator for the Statewide Athletics Committee (SWAC) and oversees the youth recreation state basketball tournaments in North Carolina each spring. To reserve athletic fields managed by the City of Graham or for more information about youth athletics, contact Kris.
Mailing Address for the Graham Recreation and Parks Department:
PO Drawer 357
Graham, NC 27253
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. 4-48. – “Parades, concerts, and special events; animals prohibited.” prohibits all pets/animals from any City of Graham special event.
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