Parks & Gardens May ENews

Parks & Gardens strives to maintain and operate parks and facilities that enrich the lives of the community and promote an overall healthier lifestyle.

Ribbit the Exhibit:  May 5th - September 5th Back by popular demand, Ribbit the Exhibit returns to Airlie Gardens!  Hop in to Airlie as copper artist Andy Cobb premieres his latest exhibit of 27 larger than life frog sculptures!  Cleverly placed throughout our 67 acres, these personified amphibians have soared, leaped and danced their way onto Airlie's grounds. From a banjo-playing countryman to a quartet of graceful ballerinas, these incredible sculptures are sure to delight all ages. Exhibit is FREE with garden admission and kids can participate in a scavenger hunt to win a prize.   Admission to Airlie is $9/Adults, $5/New Hanover County Residents & Military, $3/Children ages 4-12 and free for Children under 4.  Garden admission is always free for Airlie Gardens Members (click here to become a member)!  The first Sunday of every month, New Hanover County Residents are admitted FREE!  Operating hours are Mon-Sun 9am-5pm. More Info

National Public Gardens Day:  May 6th NPGD is a national day of celebration to raise awareness of America's public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education.  To celebrate, Airlie will be offering FREE admission to the public on May 6th from 9am-4pm*. In addition to the opening of Ribbit the Exhibit, we will also debut a book by local author Anne Russell, The Mystical Magical Amazing Fantastical Gardens of Airlie, with illustrations by Alexandra Morse.  The author and illustrator will be onsite selling and signing copies of the book.  *Last admission to the gardens that day will be 3:15pm.

Construction Updates

Hugh MacRae Park

Inclusive Playground:  Demolition of the current 5-12 year old playground will start the first week in May to make way for the new inclusive playground.  Expected completion of the playground project, including adult fitness stations and splashpad, is late June/early July.  The current playground elements will be recycled and used to update Northern Regional Park.

Basketball Court:  The new outdoor basketball court is complete!  Come out and shoot some hoops on our new adjustable goals!

Northern Regional Park

Construction is almost complete at Northern Regional Park in Castle Hayne!  Join us on Saturday, May 21st at 10am for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new multi-purpose fields. 

Ogden Park

Skatepark:  Grindline Skateparks will start construction on the New Ogden Skatepark the last week in May. The construction of both phases of the project is expected to take 4-6 months for completion. The 10,000 square foot skatepark will include elements for a variety of ages.  

Walking Trail:  Ogden Park is also getting a new 10 foot wide asphalt walking trail!  Construction on the one mile trail starts in May and will take about a month to complete.  The trail will connect to the existing trail by the pond and extend around the athletic fields by Eaton Elementary School.

Like us on facebook or visit our website for updates on these projects and more!

Airlie Gardens Summer Concert Series Enjoy music on the Oak Lawn the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month, May-September from 6-8pm. You can park and take the free trolley from 5335 Oleander Drive and purchase your tickets at Airlie or click here to purchase tickets in advance!  Concerts are free for Airlie Members, $9/Adults, $2/Children ages 4-12 and free for Children under 4.  Click here for more info and to see the lineup of performers.

Summer Yoga Series at Airlie Gardens It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or more advanced, these one hour classes taught by certified instructors from Longwave Yoga will be fun for all!  Classes meet from 8-9am on Tuesdays from May 17-June 21st.  Cost is just $10/class for Airlie Members and $15/class for all others (must be at least 16 yrs old). No pre-registration is required- just check in and pay at the front desk and bring your own mat or towel.  More Info

Master Plan Update Public Meeting  Parks and Gardens has been working with Greenplay, LLC over the past several months to update our 10-Year Master Plan.  On Thursday, May 19th at 6pm, Greenplay, LLC will present a draft of the Updated Master Plan in a Public Meeting at the Executive Development Center.  The public is invited and welcome to attend. The EDC is located at 1241 Military Cutoff Road, adjacent to the Northeast Library.  More Info

May Events

Every Wednesday:
Farmers' Market at Ogden Park:  8am-1pm
Volunteer Opportunity-  Park Beautification at Hugh MacRae Park  10am-12pm

Every Thursday:
Volunteer Opportunity- Grounds/Gardening at Airlie Gardens  9am-12pm

5/1          NHC Residents FREE Day at Airlie Gardens:  9am-5pm 

5/5          Ribbit the Exhibit opens at Airlie Gardens (free for members & with garden admission)

5/6          National Public Gardens Day at Airlie Gardens:  9am-4pm (free/last admission is 3:15pm)
              Summer Concert Series at Airlie Gardens:  6-8pm (free for Members/fee for all others)

5/11        Bird Hike at Airlie Gardens:  8-9:30am (free for members & with garden admission)

5/14        Wellness Walk at Hugh MacRae Park:  9-10am

5/17        Summer Yoga Series at Airlie Gardens:  8-9am (fee/every Tues through June 21st)

5/19        Master Plan Public Meeting at the Executive Development Center:  6-7:30pm

5/20        Summer Concert Series at Airlie Gardens:  6-8pm (free for Members/fee for all others)

5/21        Ribbon Cutting at Northern Regional Park:  10am