After years of planning, our city's extraordinary opportunity to create one of the most spectacular public spaces in the country begins with our first project, the Dix Park Plaza & Play.
The Plaza & Play project takes the concepts and elements developed in the Dorothea Dix Park Master Plan to the next level through the design process. Key to the success of the project is engagement with the community.
City of Raleigh and the design team, led by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), invite you to the third and final public meeting for the Plaza & Play project! Get up close to see how public feedback from public meetings, focus groups, and online engagement has been incorporated into this exciting design.
Project Description
The Plaza & Play is approximately 18 acres and sits on the southern edge of the park and will become the main entrance to Dix Park along Lake Wheeler Road, welcoming visitors travelling from around the City and across the State.
As described in the Dorothea Dix Park Master Plan, the Plaza & Play aspires to be an inviting and inspiring public space for all ages with one of a kind play spaces, a civic plaza, fountains, gardens, and areas to cookout and relax with family and friends. The history of the site will come alive through public art, interpretive signage, and a rehabilitated historic house.
Public Engagement
Public engagement included 3 Public Meetings, surveys, focus groups, and other activities to share information and gather feedback from the community.
Watch Public Meeting #3
On Tuesday, June 13, 2021, Dix Park held the third and final public meeting for Plaza & Play with an exciting design reveal at the newly renovated Chapel Event Center.
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates led two presentations around their incredible 13-foot 3D model of the design for Plaza & Play. Watch the recordings of those presentations in this video and share your feedback online below.
Project Phases + Timeline
- Pre-Design Services
- Schematic Design (SD)
- Design Development (DD) - WE ARE HERE
- Construction Documentation (CD)
Project Program
Program is the collection of activities that people do at the park. Planning and design for Plaza & Play program will be organized by the following themes as defined by the Master Plan:
- Wellness and Play
- Arts and Culture
- Food and Community
- Gardens and Ecology
- History and Reflection
- Park Support
Project Contact
Grayson Maughan – Senior Park Planner, Project Manager
919-996-4793
grayson.maughan@raleighnc.gov
Dix Area Edge Study
The Dix Edge Area Study is exploring affordable housing, public transportation, and other growth factors near the park. For more information about the study, please contact Project Manager, Sara Ellis at sara.ellis@raleighnc.gov or 919-996-2234.