Parenting, Parks and Pioneering, Oh My!

As a dad of three boys, I have come to learn about, what I consider, some very neat parks in the local Wake Forest area.  Read below to learn about some of our favorites which you might know about, but if not, don’t just take my word for it - visit for yourself! The reviews will not be in any sort of order of preference. 

Forest Ridge Park, at 2100 Old NC 98 HWY Wake Forest, NC 27587, off the beaten path has never disappointed our boys. It checks off many of the boxes when you are looking for a get-away and need to be outdoors and not stuck in the house. It has bike trails, playgrounds, walking trails, and an open field for flying a kite, throwing the football, baseball or even flying a drone. Oh and yes, clean bathrooms, welcome to the epitome of “adulting”.  The layout of the playground is nice because it has two different sections of equipment for different age ranges so no one gets left out and probably one of the biggest claims to fame is the zip line which every kid loves. Now to the pioneering word in the intro, I never considered myself a “nature or outdoorsman”; however, there is something special about taking a family walk on the trails at this park. They have different trails depending on distance and each of them give you a nice view of Falls Lake. Make sure to catch a sunset on one of your walks, this will not disappoint. Another plus for this park is that there are two pavilions which you can rent to have private events or birthday parties at the park. Forest Ridge is a fun park with options for everyone in the family, do not hesitate to check it out!

Keeping to the Wake Forest theme, you cannot forget about Joyner Park, at 701 Harris Rd, Wake Forest. Joyner Park also offers something for everyone in the family. Many of the original structures have been refurbished so you can learn about the history and culture of Wake Forest. Prior to the pandemic, Joyner Park hosted events such as Family Movie Night which is a great community event. This park has a plethora of walking trails for you to enjoy. Our boys love one of the newest additions to the park which was opened in October of 2019, the playground. Once again, the layout of the playground is second to none, there are two sides which help age appropriate activities and structures. There is a spinning feature in the park which seems to be the highlight for many of the attendees and could at times be a great way to end up on America's Funniest Home Videos should you “fly” off of it. There are many green areas which you can partake in throwing a football, flying a kite or a game of ultimate Frisbee. Joyner Park is a park you do want to miss out on!

Another fan favorite, at least for our younger two, is Taylor Street Spray Park, located at 416 N Taylor St, Wake Forest. On a hot day when the kids may be tired of the pool and you find yourself in the Wake Forest area, ,ake sure to check this out! There are several contraptions which spray and dump water on the children to keep them cool. While this one is very seasonal it is still a good time. 

So what is a parent to do after a fun day at the park with their kids and may want to meet up with another family with children who could not make it to the park? Well I am glad you asked, check out Lonerider Hideout, located at 1839 S Main St, Wake Forest. Lonerider in Wake Forest, has a great “backyard” which is fenced in and has picnic tables and grills. The children can run and play while the adults enjoy a cold beverage while watching the children. Lonerider often has food trucks at the location so there is no reason to worry about cooking dinner that night. Enjoy and thank me later!

There is something special about park days and we have sure grown fond of them! I hope you can check them out and enjoy them like we have! So parents, be a pioneer and go enjoy a park! 

Andrew Hening 

Kima Real Estate Group – Leads Manager