North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The City of Raleigh, Dix Park Conservancy and supporters recently held a ground-breaking of Gipson Play Plaza.
Envisioned as the welcoming grand entrance to the park, the 18.5-acre Gipson Play Plaza will feature a collection of playgrounds and gathering spaces for various ages, including:
• Climbing towers
• Waterfall wall
• Civic plaza that can be used for festivals and performances
• Picnic grove
• Swing terrace
• Historic house with concessions
“The Gipson Play Plaza will feature exciting one-of-a-kind play spaces, a family-friendly picnic grove, a restored historic house and gardens, and an amazing water play mountain that will keep the kids entertained for hours,” says Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin. “When people experience this space, they will fully understand the potential of Dix Park — and what it means to the future of our City.”
Landscape architect firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates designed Gipson Play Plaza with input from the community. The firm’s projects include Brooklyn Bridge Park in NYC, Gathering Place in Tulsa, Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, and the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Managing the construction of the Gipson Play Plaza is a joint venture of Balfour Beatty and Holt Brothers Construction.
The city says Gipson Play Plaza to open in 2024.
“We are all excited to see this bold first step in the development of Dix Park,” says Stephen Bentley, Director of Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources.
“The initial phase has opportunities for all of us to play, learn and come together as a growing City. I am thankful for all the great ongoing community input and for the support from our philanthropic partners with the Dix Park Conservancy.”