Gipson Play Plaza

Opening Spring 2025

Gipson Play Plaza

Welcome to Gipson Play Plaza!

Opening in Spring 2025, Raleigh’s newest destination is sure to delight visitors of all ages with 18.5 acres of amazing playgrounds, gathering spaces, beautiful gardens, spectacular art, and sweeping skyline views. 

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    The largest adventure playground in the Southeast

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    1,000 trees and more than 110,000 plants

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    A seat for everyone on the 91-foot long mega-swing

Parking + Shuttle

Multiple parking lots in Dix Park serve Gipson Play Plaza. Walking distances vary. On weekends, hop on the free park-and-ride shuttle from designated lots. Plan how you will get to Gipson Play Plaza at the link below.

Gipson Play Plaza parking lot

Know Before You Go

Opening Spring 2025

Gipson Play Plaza will be open seven days a week during the following hours:

May – September: 8am – 9pm

October – April: 9am – 8pm

The rest of Dix Park is open daily, sunrise to sunset. Facility hours vary.

Designed with families in mind, the centrally located restroom building has 10 restroom cabanas with space to change clothes in each. One of the cabanas includes a private shower, and there is also an outdoor shower available for rinsing off sandy hands and feet.

Public restrooms are also located in the House of Many Porches Market.

Concessions are available at the House of Many Porches Market.

Alcohol can be purchased at the market and must be consumed in the designated area.

Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in the park.

Seating and grills at the Picnic Grove are available first come, first serve.

  • Adult supervision is required
  • Equipment may be wet or hot
  • Take off bike helmets and secure loose clothing/accessories
  • Wear appropriate footwear
  • Keep pets off the playground
  • Keep children with allergies safe
  • No smoking, vaping or drug use
  • No alcohol
  • Static electricity may affect devices

  • Adult supervision is required
  • Keep pets out of the splash zone
  • No alcohol or glass

Leashed and well- behaved pets are allowed at Gipson Play Plaza. Make sure to pick up after your pets.

Pets are not allowed inside House of Many Porches Market, in any water play areas, or on the playgrounds.

Dogs can play off-leash at the Dog Park.

Service animals are welcome in the park.

Dix Park is committed to making the park and its amenities and programs accessible to all.

Parking & Arrival

  • All paved public parking lots have ADA parking spaces. The public parking lots adjacent to Gipson Play Plaza have accessible curb cuts and sidewalks into the park.
  • There is a visitor drop-off/pick-up zone near the House of Many Porches Market on Palmer Drive.  

Entrances & Pathways

  • All entrances and pathways are accessible including ADA grade paths on either side of the Grand Stair.
  • The permeable surface of the Sensory Maze and Picnic Grove is ADA accessible.

Playgrounds

  • All play areas have at grade access points with accessible interactive play features.
  • The Slide Valley play towers have an ADA accessible route through the first level including the sway bridge.

Restrooms & Facilities

  • Restroom cabanas are fully accessible.
  • House of Many Porches Market is fully accessible.
  • Picnic Grove tables are accessible.
  • Water fountains are accessible.

Service Animals

  • Service animals are welcome in the park.

Programs & Events 

Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services works with community members to support participation. To request a program modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please complete and submit the Accommodation Request Form or contact Inclusion Services staff at 919-996-2147 or ParksInclusion@raleighnc.gov.

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to the Dix Park Staff at 919-996-3255 or info@dixpark.org

A Legacy of Recreation and Play

The area that is now Gipson Play Plaza was once a flat mostly grassy space that served as a recreation field for patients of the former mental health hospital.  

From the beginning, time spent outdoors and regular exercise was a key component of patient care. As early as the 1930’s tennis and shuffleboard courts, a miniature golf course, and a ball field were built on the grounds for patients to enjoy.  

Where once patients and staff played horseshoes, baseball and badminton, play now welcomes everyone to Dix Park. 

Hospital Recreation Field