Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening

Event details

Get ready to play, explore, and celebrate—join us for the grand opening of Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park, where adventure begins!

Location

Gipson Play Plaza

Category

Kids & Family


Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening

Event Details

The announcement you've all been waiting for... Gipson Play Plaza opens with a Grand Opening community celebration presented by the Dix Park Conservancy!

12 - 3:30DJ Mike FornoFountain Plaza
4:30 - 6pmOfficial Grand Opening Ceremony with ASL InterpreterFountain Plaza
6:30 - 8pmConcert with The Asheville Mountain BoysFountain Plaza
8 - 10pmExplore an immersive light experienceThroughout Gipson Play Plaza

7 - 8amYoga with Aubrey AndersonHouse of Many Porches
8 - 9amYoga with Aubrey AndersonHouse of Many Porches
9 - 10amEn Plein Aire with KreativityyyThe Loop
10 - 3pmDJ LuxePoshFountain Plaza
11am - 1pmDrum Circle with OneTribeHouse of Many Porches
11am - 1pmPlant Workshop with Urban PothosHouse of Many Porches
1 - 3pmStorytime with Blubobobobo (ASL Interpreter)House of Many Porches
1 - 3pmPerformance by Raleigh Music CollectiveThe Loop
3 - 5pmPerformance by Raleigh RockersFountain Plaza
5 - 7pmPerformance by Carolina BalletFountain Plaza
7 - 8:30pmConcert with Emerald EmpireFountain Plaza
8:30 - 10pmExplore an immersive light experienceThroughout Gipson Play Plaza

In addition to the main festivities, guests can enjoy delightful surprises throughout the day! Wandering around the park you will find-

  • Beloved local mascots - Champ the Bat Dog, Wool E Bull, UNC Rameses, Mr & Mrs Wuf
  • Sunny the Fairy
  • Playful bubbles with Imagine Circus

7 - 8amYoga with Erica LagardeHouse of Many Porches
8 - 9amYoga with Erica LagardeHouse of Many Porches
9 - 11amEn Plein Aire with KreativityyyThe Loop
10 - 3pmDJ LuxePoshFountain Plaza
11am - 1pmDrum Circle with OneTribeHouse of Many Porches
11am - 1pmPlant Workshop with Urban PothosHouse of Many Porches
1 - 3pmPerformance by Garland MasonThe Loop
1 - 3pmStorytime with Blubobobobo (ASL Interpreter)House of Many Porches
3 - 5pmPerformance by Raleigh RockersFountain Plaza
5 - 7pmPoetry FoxWoodland Garden
7 - 8:30Concert with ¡Tumbao!Fountain Plaza
8:30 - 10pmExplore an immersive light experienceThroughout Gipson Play Plaza

In addition to the main festivities, guests can enjoy delightful surprises throughout the day! Wandering around the park you will find-

  • Beloved local mascots - Wool E Bull, UNC Rameses, Mr & Mrs. Wuf
  • Sunny the Fairy
  • Playful bubbles with Imagine Circus

Food & Beverage

Check out our food truck calendar to explore a variety of delicious treat options!

Food Truck Calendar

Parking & Shuttles

Details soon!


Know Before You Go

  • Sunscreen and hats
  • Change of clothes, towels and/or swimsuits for waterplay
  • Refillable water bottles
  • Food and non-alcoholic drinks permitted

Leave at home

  • Outside alcohol
  • Drones
  • While well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed at Gipson Play Plaza, we recommend leaving them at home for this event. 

The centrally-located Restroom Building has 10 restroom cabanas with space to change clothes in each. 

Public restrooms are also located in the House of Many Porches Market.

Temporary restrooms are also available at the event site.

In the case of inclement weather, the event may be postponed or canceled. Notice will be posted on social media and dixpark.org.

Text GIPSONPLAY to 888777 to receive messages about Gipson Play Plaza Grand Opening including unforeseen delays or cancellations and inclement weather alerts.

Gipson Play Plaza is located at 715 Biggs Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603

Friday - Sunday: Free Shuttles from Dix Park parking lots more than a 10 minute walk from Gipson Play Plaza

Saturday - Sunday: Free Downtown Shuttle from Moore Square Park

More information coming soon!

 

Dix Park is committed to making the park and its amenities and programs accessible to all.

Parking & Arrival

  • Enter at Goode Street via Lake Wheeler Road for Event Accessibility Parking
  • All paved public parking lots have ADA parking spaces. The public parking lots adjacent to Gipson Play Plaza have 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 have at grade access points with accessible interactive play features.
  • The play towers in Slide Valley have an wheelchair accessible route through the first level that includes the sway bridge.
  • Two slides have transfer platforms.
  • There are three transfer platform access points in the Sand Bowl. 

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.

Contact Dix Park Staff at 919-996-3255 or events@dixpark.org

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