RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh's newest park and playground are now open.
River Bend Park in northeast Raleigh stretches across 25 acres and includes a playground with a multi-direction swing, slides and climbing boulder; launch site on the Neuse River for small non-motorized crafts such as canoes and kayaks; parking for those small crafts; access to the Neuse River Greenway trail; and restrooms.
Raleigh purchased the property, which is north of the intersection of US Highway 401 and Interstate 540, in 2012. In the 2014 bond referendum for parks, $2 million was set aside for planning for River Bend and its first phase of construction, according to the city.
Construction began in 2019. It's part of a partnership with a private developer and the Wake County Public School System. River Bend middle and elementary schools are nearby.
The new park is at 5610 Wallace Martin Way. Like the city's other parks, it's open from dawn to dusk daily.