About Us

Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides opportunities for the Durham community to Play More: Connecting our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, we strive to help residents discover, explore and enjoy life through creative and challenging recreational choices that contribute to their physical, emotional and social health.

DPR manages:

• 1,800 acres of parkland
• 68 parks
• 56 playgrounds
• 29 miles of paved trails
• 10 recreation centers
• 5 special use facilities
• 3 outdoor pools
• 2 city lakes
• 2 heritage parks
• 2 indoor pools

DPR is a nationally accredited agency by the National Parks and Recreation Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).

Mission

Play More: Connecting our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning.

Vision

Durham Parks and Recreation will be Durham’s leading resource for recreational choices to help citizens enjoy life while contributing to their health and well-being.

Work Plan

We’re committed to building better lives and a better Durham! Explore our 2021-2022 Work Plan which shares 6 Core focus areas, 7 major goals and 42 key performance indicators we plan to accomplish this year.

History

Public recreation was started in Durham during April of 1924 by a City Council Resolution which stated, "It has been recognized by the Council that playgrounds are essential to proper growth and citizenship."

In accordance with this observation the Council, in July 1924, appropriated money for summer playgrounds. On July 1, 1925, the Council appropriated money to organize a Recreation Department with a full-time director. Durham became the second recreation department in North Carolina. C.R. Wood was selected as the first Director.

View our history timeline to learn more about DPR throughout the years.

Awards