3 minute read
RECREATION & FITNESS
RECREATION and FITNESS
By Jenny White
Advertisement
One of the best things about living in the Twin Counties is the year-round opportunities to be outdoors. Whether you play sports, fish, hike or just like to be outside, our area is teeming with ways for you to get physical and enjoy the great outdoors.
With almost 100 parks in Nash County, there’s a family-friendly area near you — no matter where you are. One of the city’s most popular is Sunset Park, which sits along the Tar River. You’ll find a sand volleyball pit, tennis courts, basketball courts, a skate park and a kid-friendly spray park.
The spray park operates from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day, and even has concessions for those staying a while. The food options range from popcorn to ice cream and snow cones.
One of the landmarks in Rocky Mount can be found at Sunset park — a gas powered miniature train. The train offers rides to 36 passengers at a time. There’s also a vintage carousel that’s been at the park since the 1950s.
On one recent summer day, mom Vivian Roster had her two children and a few neighborhood friends at the Sunset Park spray park.
“It’s a great way to break up a long day and they all have fun. It keeps my toddler happy and my 6-year old,” Roster said.
Another great Rocky Mount park is Battle Park. While there are no playgrounds or moving rides for the kids, there are winding trails along the Tar River. The park offers a boat landing, three picnic shelters, fishing piers and a gazebo with a view of the Rocky Mount Mills dam. Battle Park is a great place to fish and you’ll see fishermen along the banks of the river throughout the park as well as at the docks spread throughout the meandering park.
Battle Park is part of the 7.2 mile greenway trail through Rocky Mount. Starting at Sunset Park, the trail goes through Battle Park, crossing the river into Stith-Talbert Park and
58
travels into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Near South Church Street, a connector trail travels north to the Rocky Mount Sports Complex and Athletic Stadium.
Ennis Park in Red Oak is another favorite recreation site. There are soccer fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters, tennis courts and a great walking path around the park. The walking trail measures .6 miles and is a great place to enjoy a walk outdoors.
If you like a little history with your recreation, Tarboro in Edgecombe County may be the place to start your hike. Designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Tarboro’s National Recreation Trail begins at the BlountBridgers House and provides a leisurely stroll or drive through one of North Carolina's largest and most diverse historic districts. Numerous public and private restorations are found along the two-mile trail with structures representing Colonial, Antebellum and Victorian architectural periods.
Significant historic sites are the Pender Museum, the Town Common, the Cotton Press Complex, Calvary Church and churchyard, and the National Main Street Program facade improvements in historic Downtown Tarboro.
Paddling the Tar River is fun for locals and visitors of all ages. The City of Rocky Mount and Tarboro plan organized paddles throughout the year, but boat docks are open to the public throughout the park systems in both counties.
Don’t have a canoe? No worries — recreation departments in Edgecombe and Nash County both offer canoes for rent during their organized paddles.
Organized recreation leagues also offer an opportunity for residents to get moving. The Twin Counties is home to many locations for games and tournaments. The Rocky Mount Sports Complex is a major recreation league baseball and soccer site, east of Raleigh. The complex hosts local, state and national tournaments. In the summer, the Rocky Mount Sports Complex is the site of the Top Gun World Series and brings in about $1.5 million in tourist money to Rocky Mount.
The newest recreation site to the Twin Counties is the Rocky Mount Event Center. The 165,000-square-foot space boasts eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, four locker rooms, concessions and a large area for banquet events. The Rocky Mount Event Center has hosted numerous basketball tournaments and gymnastic meets so far.
Looking for a team to play on? The Harrison Family YMCA and city recreation leagues have numerous opportunities for athletes to play throughout the year.
