Gipson Play Plaza

Yes, that's right! Gipson Play Plaza is free to visit seven days a week. Parking at Dix Park is also free of charge. 

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

Opening Friday, June 6, 2025

Gipson Play Plaza is 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.

Rentable areas at Gipson Play Plaza will not be available during the first year due to the anticipated high visitation. The Oak Room and Magnolia Room Picnic Shelters are available, visit Rent a Space to learn more information. 

The centrally-located Restroom Building has 10 individual restroom and changing cabanas that have benches and baby changing tables in each.

For rinsing off, one of the cabanas includes a private shower and there is an outdoor shower near the Sand Bowl.

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

• Public Parking Lots B, D, E, G adjacent to Gipson Play Plaza have ADA parking spaces, 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 accessible.
• A portion of the Picnic Grove surface includes a stabilizing binder for a more stable and level surface.

Playgrounds

• All play areas (Slide Valley, Watermill Mountain, Sand Bowl, Sensory Maze, Swing Terrace) have at grade access points with accessible interactive play features.
• The play towers have an wheelchair accessible route through the first level that includes the sway bridge and transfer platform for the slide.
• Two additional slides have transfer platforms.
• There are three transfer platform access points in the sand play area.
• The mega swing includes nest/basket swings.

Restrooms & Facilities

• Restroom cabanas are fully accessible.
• House of Many Porches Market is fully accessible.
• Picnic Grove tables are accessible including spaces for wheelchair positioning.
• 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