PARKS, RECREATION AND
CULTURAL RESOURCES
The Town’s nationally accredited Parks,
Recreation and Cultural Resources (PRCR)
Department coordinates a huge variety
of programs for all age groups, earning
numerous awards including the Playful City
USA honor for four consecutive years (as of
2017). Cultural, artistic, social, recreational
and athletic programs are offered year-
round. The department mails a brochure with
comprehensive program and special events
listings to Garner households twice a year.
The brochure and a link to sign up for
programs is at garnernc.gov/departments/
parks-recreation-and-cultural-resources
(see pages 18-19 for more on special events).
Garner PRCR manages 12 parks totaling more
than 475 acres. These parks feature open
space, athletic courts and fi elds, picnic shelters,
playgrounds, walking trails and more. South
Garner Park (1210 Poole Road) and Garner
Recreational Park (221 E. Garner Road) have
ballfi elds with new concessions buildings
fi nanced with bond proceeds. Another recent
addition made possible by bonds is the picnic
shelter at Garner Recreational Park, which can
accommodate 75 people and is available for
rental. Lake Benson Park and White Deer Park
also have picnic shelters for rental. Call (919)
773-4442 for reservations.
The Town’s passive parkland includes White
Deer Park (2400 Aversboro Road, (919) 661-
6982), which features a LEED Gold-certifi ed
Nature Center, and Lake Benson Park (921
Buffaloe Road, (919) 661-6982), location of the
Garner Veterans Memorial (see page 22 for
details). There are several miles of paved and
unpaved trails in White Deer and Lake Benson
Parks, including the South Garner Greenway.
The Town has two new dog parks—in Garner
Recreational Park and Lake Benson Park—
which also were made possible by bonds.
Lake Benson boathouse (975 Buffaloe Road,
(919) 662-5703) is open weekends during
warm-weather months and rents jon boats
(with or
without
motors),
canoes and
kayaks. There
is free fi shing
from the
boathouse
dock
when the
boathouse
is open.
In summer
2018, Garner
PRCR’s largest facility—and the Town’s largest
capital project ever—will be completed. The
Garner Recreation Center, located at the
corner of Main and Montague Streets, will be
nearly 40,000 square feet. It will have three
regulation-size high school basketball courts,
an elevated walking track and space for fi tness
classes, youth programming and arts and
crafts classes.
Garner PRCR also operates Avery Street
Recreation Center and Annex (125 Avery St.),
where fun, affordable programming and
events are held throughout the year for
youth and adults.
The Garner Senior Center (205 E. Garner
Road) is a bustling hub of activity in downtown
Garner. For more information on activities and
services at the center, including the Meals on
Wheels program, call the center at (919) 779-
0122, visit garnernc.gov/departments/parks-
recreation-and-cultural-resources or look for
the center on Facebook.
Garner Performing Arts Center (742 W. Garner
Road) hosts many outstanding performances
and events throughout the year (see pages 20-
21 for more details and contact information).
Garner PRCR and a number of PRCR facilities
are active on social media, where they
encourage you to #DiscoverPlayCelebrate.
garnernc.gov
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