Every day at Durham Central Park, something extraordinary happens. Children discover new books at Storytime. Families picnic beneath the surrounding trees. Skaters carve across the plaza. Teens meet under the Pavilion. Friends gather at Food Truck Rodeos. Communities from across the city dance together at PLAYlist Concerts, celebrating Durham’s incredible cultural landscape.
This is the magic of free public space—and at DCP, it’s powered entirely by people like you.
As we look back on one of our most successful years ever, we are launching the 2025 Cardinal Campaign, our annual fundraiser that supports both general operations and our long-term improvement plan, the Greenprint. Our goal this year is to raise $100,000 to ensure Durham Central Park remains welcoming, beautiful, safe, and full of free programming for everyone in our city.
Why Your Gift Matters More Than Ever
Durham Central Park receives no public operational funding. That means every essential service—from planting trees to mowing the lawn to
paying staff, running programs, ensuring safety, maintaining public art, and coordinating volunteers—is funded by donors, sponsors, and grant partners.
This year, we face a new challenge:
grant funding for both PLAYlist and Storytime has been cut for 2026.
These two programs alone serve more than 10,000 people combined every year. Your support ensures that they remain completely free and accessible to all.
The Greenprint: A Vision for the Next 10 Years
In 2025, we finalized and began fundraising for the Greenprint, a 10-year community-guided roadmap for improving the park’s accessibility, entrances, seating, shade, safety, and gathering spaces. Thanks to early donors and partners, design is already underway for:
- Creekside Gateway – a beautiful new accessible entrance
- Forest Seating and Terraces – shaded places to rest, gather, and play
- The Memorial Garden – a reflective community space honoring loved ones
DCP has submitted plans for site plan approval for the first two projects to be built in 2026!
These improvements will shape the next decade and help Durham Central Park meet the needs of a growing city.
Your Gift Builds the Greenprint.
The Greenprint for the Next Decade—Built Together.
Your support is the reason this park exists—and the reason it continues to thrive. We invite you to join us in building the next era of Durham Central Park.
Donate Today at durhamcentralpark.org/donate