Park Review: Knightdale's Harper Park

Knightdale parents are anxiously awaiting the opening of Knightdale Park, an ambitious project that includes a large farm-themed playground. Until then, there's Harper Park.

Posted 1:45 a.m. Feb 15, 2013 — Updated 1:45 a.m. Feb 15, 2013

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Knightdale parents are anxiously awaiting the opening of Knightdale Park, an ambitious project that includes sports fields, a dog park, trails and a large farm-themed playground complete with barn and silo.

Pictures on the town's website show the beginnings of a wooden play structure, along with sketches of what's to come later this year. I am eager to check out the new park and the playground when it opens. It looks amazing!

But before Knightdale Park opens, I made a visit to Harper Park this week with my kids. This is a small park in the heart of downtown featuring an older playground, along with a tree-covered green area with bridges, picnic shelters and a small gazebo.

The play equipment here is traditional and has seen better days. There are slides, climbing pieces, bouncy animals and swings. The surface under the equipment is sand. There aren't sand toys here, but there's plenty of sand to play with if you bring your own.

What I like best about the park is that it's not cluttered with play pieces. There was plenty of room for my kids and the others there to start up a game of tag. And the tree-filled green area next to the playground provides even more room for hide and seek and other games.

Harper Park is home to some of the town's community events. It's also the location of the Knightdale Farmers' Market, which is open Thursday evenings from late spring to fall.

Harper Park isn't a destination park. But, pair it with a trip to a storytime at East Regional Library, which is just one mile away, and its small nature trail, you've got yourself a fun morning or afternoon out of the house.

Find Harper Park at 207 Main St., Knightdale. There was plenty of parking there when we visited on a weekday afternoon. A small brick building holds bathrooms.

Go Ask Mom features places to take kids every Friday. Looking for other ideas? Check our parks and playgrounds reviews and posts on Triangle family destinations.

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