Alamance County's Best Parks, Greenways and Outdoor Spaces Highlighted

The county's outdoor footprint, by the numbers

Alamance County is sitting on an outdoor recreation network that most residents underestimate. Mebane alone manages 11 parks across more than 350 acres, with 12 ballfields, 9 tennis courts, 6 temporary outdoor pickleball courts, 7 playgrounds, and over 5 miles of trails and multi-use paths. Burlington City Park stretches 76 acres anchored by a carousel listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And in January 2026, Alamance Parks announced the acquisition of approximately 800 acres at the confluence of the Haw River and Cane Creek, adding what will eventually be 3 more miles of trail to the county's growing system. The Haw River Paddle Trail already runs 40 miles through the county, with a companion 20-mile land trail alongside it. The infrastructure is there; the challenge is knowing where to go.

Best for families with young children: Mebane Community Park

At 550 W. Center Street in Mebane, the Community Park is the county's most fully loaded municipal facility for families. The splash pad opens the last Friday of April each season and runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., closing any day lightning is in the forecast. It sits alongside a 0.5-mile paved walking trail that loops the park's outer perimeter, a Cone Health Community Fitness Court, a dog park, and a full playground. The park is also home to the only two artificial turf ballfields operated by a municipality in Alamance County, making it a regional draw for youth soccer, baseball, and softball tournaments. Park hours run 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Shelter reservations and athletic field bookings can be made through Mebane's CivicRec portal.

Best for a stroller-friendly loop and historic rides: Burlington City Park

Burlington City Park, off Overbrook Road, is the flagship of the city's parks system. Its 46 hand-carved wooden animals, including 26 horses and four each of cats, ostriches, rabbits, and pigs, make the 1906-1910 Dentzel Menagerie Carousel one of only 14 intact Dentzel carousels remaining in the world. Beyond the carousel, the park offers a miniature train, kiddie rides, athletic fields, and walking trails across 76 acres. Parking is available on-site and the park hosts seasonal events through Burlington's parks and recreation department. Field reservations and program registration are handled through Burlington's online portal.

• The Dentzel Carousel is built from hand-carved bass and poplar wood, assembled with hide glue, and was purchased by the city in 1948.
• Burlington's other parks, including Town & Country Park and Elmira Park, provide Haw River access points for paddlers.

Best for paddling and fishing: The Haw River corridor

The 40-mile Haw River Paddle Trail is the county's most significant recreational waterway asset, connecting multiple launch points through Burlington, Swepsonville, Saxapahaw, and beyond. Alamance Parks manages several river-access parks along this corridor. Saxapahaw Island Park and Swepsonville River Park both offer river access, while Great Bend Park sits along a prominent curve in the Haw. Before putting in, check river-level and weather advisories and carry life jackets; conditions on the Haw can shift quickly after rain. County parks pages and local paddling organizations post current conditions and suggested launch points.

For anglers, the river corridor offers fishing access at multiple county-managed sites. Consult the Alamance County Parks and Recreation website at parks.alamancecountync.gov for site-specific rules and hours, as each park along the corridor has its own posted regulations.

The underused gem: The Alston Quarter tract near Saxapahaw

The biggest outdoor story in Alamance County right now is one most residents don't know about yet. In January 2026, Alamance Parks acquired approximately 800 acres of the historic "Alston Quarter" tract, the largest undivided parcel remaining in the county, situated south of Saxapahaw at the confluence of the Haw River and Cane Creek. Funding came from a combination of state and local sources, including the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and the Complete the Trails Grant Program. The land will allow construction of 3 miles of additional Haw River State Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail, opening new terrain for hiking, conservation access, and wildlife observation.

Why locals skip it: it's not open to the public yet, as trail construction is still pending. Why they shouldn't ignore it: with 800 acres and direct river-confluence access, this will be the largest single park addition in county history once developed.

Graham's downtown green spaces

Graham's park network is smaller and more neighborhood-scaled than Burlington's or Mebane's, with Sesquicentennial Park among the downtown focal points for community gatherings and events. The city has periodically reviewed park redesign and relocation plans; for current status on any parcels under review, Graham's municipal meeting agendas and the Alamance News legal notices are the most reliable sources. Graham's parks serve as event anchors rather than multi-sport destinations.

Elon and the university corridor

Elon's municipal parks lean toward walkable green spaces near the downtown and Elon University corridor, with trail connections emphasized for pedestrians and cyclists. Haw River access points near Elon give anglers and paddlers another entry to the 40-mile paddle trail. The Elon parks system is more modest in scale than Burlington or Mebane but fills an important gap for residents in the western part of the county who want accessible green space without driving across town.

Planning your visit: practical details

• Hours: Most county and municipal parks are open sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted; Mebane Community Park runs 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Fees: The Dentzel Carousel charges a small per-ride fee; most greenway and trail access is free.
• Parking: Burlington City Park and Mebane Community Park both have dedicated on-site lots. River access points vary; check individual park pages for overflow or street parking notes.
• Reservations: Use Mebane's CivicRec system or Burlington's reservations portal to book shelters, fields, and program slots. Both platforms list current fees and availability.
• ADA access: Mebane Community Park's 0.5-mile outer loop is paved; Burlington City Park's main areas are accessible. Confirm specific accessibility features for individual sites at each city's parks page before visiting.
• River safety: Life jackets are required equipment on the Haw River Paddle Trail. River levels can rise rapidly; always check conditions before launching.

Connecting it all: greenways and trail links

Mebane has been building out its greenway network with the stated goal of connecting neighborhoods and parks across the city. The current system includes more than 5 miles of trails and multi-use paths spread across the city's 11 parks, with expansion ongoing. At the county level, the Haw River State Trail doubles as part of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, giving hikers a link to a statewide long-distance route. The 800-acre Alston Quarter acquisition will eventually add 3 more miles to that corridor. For updated trail maps and planned extensions, the city's parks-facilities-trails page and the county parks master plan materials are the most current references available.