A project eight years in the making, Pleasant Park in southwest Apex will make its debut this summer, bringing an enjoyable and much-needed amenity to Town residents. The 92-acre complex near the intersection of I-540 and Old US Highway 1 boasts six multipurpose athletic fields, 12 athletic courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball, a 5K cross-country course, field house, Enchanted Forest featuring eight inclusive play areas, and Splashlantis, a dazzling water play facility.
(While a grand-opening event has not been finalized by the Town, it’s projected that Pleasant Park will open to the public in July. Stay tuned for announcements on the Town’s website at apexnc.org and on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.)
The $37M project is financed largely by the 2017 Apex Parks bond, a $500K grant from Wake County and Town reserves. Named for the family that owned the land, Pleasant Park will serve as a location for many Town-run programs and will have the capability to host athletic tournaments and large-scale community events. The complex is located at 3400 Pleasant Plains Road.
“This will be an amazing facility, unlike anything else currently in the area,” said Patrick Fitzsimons, manager of Pleasant Park. “Having six full-sized turf fields at the same location will allow the Town to hold some really unique, large events throughout the year. Runners will really like the cross-country course, with challenging slopes and interesting views throughout the park. These amenities will attract visitors from all over and make Pleasant Park a true destination.”
From Dream to Reality
As the population of Apex has swelled in recent years, the Apex Town Parks and Recreation Master Plan identified the need for a new athletic complex to meet the overwhelming requests for facility space. Many of the Town’s sports fields were scheduled to capacity, resulting in waiting lists for youth and adult athletic programs.
Now that a half-dozen multipurpose fields have been built at Pleasant Park, athletic offerings have been expanded to include soccer, lacrosse, flag football, ultimate frisbee and more. The Town, working with locally run competitive sports organizations that serve residents as well as with national sports organizations, could also host tournaments in all of these sports.
Craig Setzer, director of the Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, is delighted about the Town’s ability to offer more diverse programming opportunities to its patrons. “The additional amenities will allow waitlist relief for our current programs and provide the necessary space to be creative in future programming to accommodate the ever-changing needs of our growing community,” he said.
HH Architecture led the design of Pleasant Park, which was based on feedback from a public event in 2016. Three alternative plans were proposed for the Apex Town Council, which selected the final plan. Approval for the construction of the park was also obtained from NCDOT, CSX Rail, Colonial Pipeline and other associated agencies. WithersRavenel, a local civil and environmental engineering firm, and general contractor J.M. Thompson Company also contributed to Pleasant Park’s creation.
A World of Enchantment
Enchanted Forest at Pleasant Park is a 1.5-acre themed playground inspired by fairy tales and fables. Kids of all ages and abilities have eight alluring play villages to explore:
The Reading Nook – An ideal spot to start an adventure in the Enchanted Forest, the Reading Nook is a quiet gathering space with toadstools that are perfect for enjoying storytime.
Discovery Dig – Shifting sands, buried treasure and archaeological finds are highlights of this play area that develops gross and fine motor skills. Kids use their sense of direction to find the adventure that awaits them with the help of tools and maps. A special sand table accommodates guests with mobility issues alongside other adventurers.
Gnome’s Hollow – This village has several larger climbing and rope structures providing two distinct levels of play to develop body strength, flexibility and endurance, and also fosters dramatic play through its whimsical design. A slide transfer station and adaptive equipment create a welcoming environment for children with physical and emotional disabilities. An accessible merry-go-round, climbing logs, turf hill, 4-seat teeter-totter, cozy cocoon and shaded benches are additional features of Gnome’s Hollow.
Kingdom in the Clouds – This central village is home to Emerald Tritopia, a 35-foot climbing structure that is an artistic focal point of play and is surrounded by colorful and engaging components. Its multiple levels contain physical and sensory play nooks.
Melody Madness – This auditory area promotes music as a universal language that can be created, shared and enjoyed as multi-generational play.
Reverie – Swinging and spinning with incorporated light play promotes the development of gross motor skills in children of all abilities. Reverie’s multi-user equipment provides hubs for gathering to encourage social awareness.
Sticks & Stones – This organic play area is constructed from trees, logs, boards and rocks for guests to climb, balance, stack, hop and build. Oak and maple trees harvested from the site comprise its natural elements, and a donated oak tree finds a repurposed home as tables and planks. Sticks & Stones offers opportunities to heighten problem-solving, abstract thinking and creativity in a natural space.
Trollway Bridge – Connecting the two sides of Enchanted Forest is a bridge with open wire railings for expansive views. Seeing the sights below in a protected wetland while being shaded by branches of swaying trees is a highlight of Trollway Bridge.
Enchanted Forest’s inclusive play areas feature equipment from seven manufacturers across the globe. These unique and distinctive structures are sure to spark kids’ imagination and provide endless hours of joy.
Apex Parks Planning Project Manager Angela Reincke said her own joy in creating Pleasant Park stems from “the ability to imagine an inclusive play space created from childhood stories and constructed into reality, and then being able to see joy and wonder on children’s faces as they experience those moments.” She’s also happy “knowing that every piece of equipment was selected to provide a different type of play and focus on a different physical or mental aspect, and then tying the components through colors, shapes and location to fairytales and fables so that each visitor can become a part of the story.”
Wet and Wonderful Splashlantis
In addition to the play villages opening at Pleasant Park this summer, the Town will unveil its first water play facility, Splashlantis, that offers water spray, splashing activities and taller features that dump buckets of water. To add to the fun, visitors – along with shipwrecked pirates – can find buried treasures in Splashlantis.
Its design includes a narrow channel known as a rill. Kids can merrily follow the path of the water as it collects from the spray elements into the rill and flows to a drain.
“The Enchanted Forest and Splashlantis will be play areas that kids of all ages and abilities will want to return to time and again,” Fitzsimmons said.
Other Amenities
Pleasant Park’s large field areas will host outdoor movie showings and a variety of special events. Camps, classes and cultural activities will also find a home among the park’s vast 92 acres.
Four separate parking lots boast 900 parking spaces and are tied to areas of concentration in the park; color-coded wayfinding signage will help visitors navigate to their desired area of interest. One of the parking lots has power hook-ups to support a food truck alley, an event that always attracts a hungry crowd. A concession stand in the field house can be used during events as needed.
A 5K cross-country trail meanders through the property, providing the ideal terrain for Wake County public school meets. A sidewalk route also connects through the site.
Two shelters with adjoining restrooms will be available at the time of opening. The Forest Shelter has all family-style restrooms that can function as changing rooms for those visiting Splashlantis. The field house also has public restrooms.
Although Pleasant Park does not include a dedicated dog park, dogs will be allowed in the park when leashed, but not on athletic fields, courts or designated playground spaces.
The Town will coordinate usage schedules for the athletic fields and courts, with time reserved for Town programs and outside rentals. Weekly schedules will be posted so that users know when the facilities are available. There will also be time dedicated for open play, when park users can drop in and use the facility without prior reservation. Fields, courts and several shelters will be available to rent.
At this time, the baseball/softball complex, associated facilities and a large shelter will not be constructed due to a funding gap. There is no timeframe for construction and completion of those amenities, according to Town officials.
Soon to be Apex’s glittering crown jewel, Pleasant Park will offer endless opportunities for play, fitness and community engagement, and delight generations to come.
