Playground Review: Wake Forest's Holding Park

Holding Park doesn't offer a fancy playground. But what it does have makes up for that.

Posted 2:08 a.m. Aug 20, 2010 — Updated 12:10 a.m. Aug 21, 2010

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

I was in Wake Forest the other week to talk to the moms of the MOPS groups at North Wake Church. And I figured I'd swing by Holding Park since I was up there.

I've been a fan of Holding Park since I first saw it a few years ago. It's a bit of a hike from my house, but the few times I've been in the area with my older daughter, we've stopped to play.

There's nothing really fancy about the park. There's a large playset with several slides, monkey bars and the like. And there's an older swing set with baby swings and regular swings next to each other. (Which I've learned is nice when you have a baby and a five-year-old as I do).

But what I really like about Holding Park is the wide open, grassy space. The playground sits in the bottom of a grassy bowl, which allows kids plenty of room to run around. There are some picnic tables and a big hill, which I suspect is very popular when it snows.

Holding Park Pool is open during the summer and will close for the season on Sunday.

I met a dad at the Go Ask Mom event at North Hills on Wednesday who lives in Wake Forest. He said his family enjoys Holding Park too. But he told me that I really should see E. Carroll Joyner Park, which opened a year ago. The park on a former farm, includes a 1,000-seat amphitheater, trails and old farm buildings. It's now on my list!

But for now, see more of Holding in downtown Wake Forest in the video.

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