The great outdoors

Looking to get out of the house and explore? You can find some fun outdoor spots not far from home.

NORTH CAROLINA VETERANS PARK
The 8-acre park pays tribute to North Carolina veterans. The park, which opened July 4, offers a 3,500-square-foot visitor’s center and a number of outdoor exhibits. Located at 300 Bragg Blvd. adjacent to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville. Info:
ncveteranspark.org

ZIPQUEST
Fayetteville’s first zipline course offers eight ziplines, three sky bridges, 13 platforms and a trio of platformed spiral staircases. Located at 533 Carvers Falls Drive. Rates: $79. Military and group discounts are offered. Info:
zipquest.com

HIKING & BIKING
Cape Fear River Trail: This 10-foot wide paved path winds through nearly four miles of hilly woodlands and flat terrain alongside the Cape Fear River. It’s open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. until dusk. Access points are at Clark Park, 1572 Sherman Drive; Eastwood Avenue and the Jordan Soccer Complex at Treetop Drive.
Mazarick Park: Shady dirt trails are part of this 80-acre park. Some lead to a fishing pond and disc-golf course. The park is open from 8 a.m. until dusk. Access points at 1612 Belvedere Ave. and 1368 Belvedere Ave. 433-1547
Smith Lake: Known as a nice introductory trail for mountain bikers, the paths at Smith Lake on Fort Bragg are divided into three interlocking loops ranging from an easy green trail to the black trail’s logs, climbs and bridges. Daily fee is $5; annual fee is $20. At 1129 Smith Lake Road.
Lake Rim Park: Wooden bridges and dirt trails are nestled in 30 acres near a fishing education center, old hatchery ponds and Lake Rim. The park is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during summer months. 2214 Tar Kiln Drive. 424-6134.
All-American Trail: This unpaved pathway is designed for bikers and hikers. Terrain is mixed with sections from flat to slightly hilly — mostly flat. A 1,000-foot boardwalk over Rockfish Creek and its wetlands has been completed. The trail follows the perimeter of Fort Bragg. Access it just before the gate on Vass Road in Hoke County.
Weymouth Woods: Six hiking trails and a bridle trail run 4.6 miles through this 898-acre Sandhills nature preserve in Moore County. Ancient longleaf pines shade the paths. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until October. 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines.



FAYETTEVILLE CITY PARKS
For more information on the parks and their programs, go to fcpr.us.
Arnette Park: 2165 Old Wilmington Road, off N.C. 87. Picnic areas, playgrounds, river trails, tennis courts, horseshoes, sand volleyball court, softball/baseball fields and disc golf on 100 acres. 433-1547.
J. Bayard Clark Park: 631 Sherman Drive. Three trails and nature center on 76 acres. Boat launching, fishing, picnic tables, playground, primitive camping, waterfall, ranger-guided tours. 433-1579.
Eastover Community Park: 2721 Ball Park Road. Ball fields. 485-7424.
Edgewood Park: 2517 Ramsey St. Ball fields, basketball courts, playground equipment, picnic tables.
Fire Station Park: Person Street and Eastern Boulevard. Basketball courts, picnic tables, and playground.
Freedom Memorial Park: Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard. War monuments.
General Lee Park: General Lee Avenue in Haymount. Playground.
Dorothy D. Gilmore Park: 1600 Purdue Drive. Park and recreation center with playground.
Glen Reilly Park: Glen Reilly Road and Wadsworth Court. Green space, horseshoe pit, pavilion, playground, walking path.
Glendale Acres Elementary School/Park: 2915 Skycrest Drive. Playground and walking path.
Greenwood Park: McGougan and Stamper roads. Picnic tables, playground.
Hall Park: Hall Park Road in Gray’s Creek. Baseball/softball fields, picnic shelters.
Honeycutt Park: Fort Bragg Road and Devers Street by Fayetteville Technical Community College. Ball fields, playgrounds, walking trail, picnic tables, recreation center. 433-1568.
Lamon Street Park: Lamon and Ann streets. Ball fields, playground, picnic tables. 433-1004.
Mary McDonald Park: Essex Place and Bridger Street. Picnic tables, playground.
Massey Hill Park: 1612 Camden Road. Ball fields, recreation center, picnic tables, playground, in-line skating rink. 433-1569.
Geraldine B. Myers Park: 1018 Rochester St. Ball fields, basketball courts, recreation center, picnic tables, playground.
Myers Park: 1018 Rochester Street. Baseball/softball field, green space, horseshoes, playground, restrooms.
North Street Park: North and Brinkley streets. Ball fields, picnic tables, playground.
Riverside Dog Park: 555 N. Eastern Blvd., park for small and big dogs. 433-1547.
Rowan Park: 725 W. Rowan St. Recreation center, picnic tables, playground, tennis courts, amphitheater. Known for the large blue whale. 422-1547.
J.W. Seabrook Park: 708 Langdon St. Ball fields, basketball courts, recreation center, playground, pool. 433-1571.
Senior Citizens Service Center: 739 Blue St. Horseshoes, recreation center, picnic tables.
Christina S. Smith Park: 500 Fisher Drive. Playground, splash pad, ball fields, basketball courts, recreation center, volleyball, picnic tables, horseshoes. 433-1572.
Mable C. Smith Park: 1367 Shadbush Lane. Basketball courts, football/soccer field, picnic tables, playground, walking trails, horseshoe pit. 433-1547.
Tokay Park: 328 Hamilton St. Ball fields, recreation center, picnic tables, playground, tennis courts, rubberized track. 433-1547.
Roy G. Turner Park: 4623 Blanton Road, picnic shelter, play equipment, football/soccer field, horseshoes. 433-1547.
Windsor Terrace: Hillsboro and Windsor streets. Horseshoes, picnic tables, playground.
Woodland Park: McBain and McRae streets. Green space totaling 7 acres.
Woodrow Park: Woodrow and Wilson streets. Picnic tables, playground.

TENNIS COURTS
Arnette Park: 2165 Wilmington Highway. Eight lighted hard courts open to public. 433-1547
Fort Bragg Tennis Club: Normandy Drive, Building No. 1-5426, Fort Bragg. Six lighted hard courts open to civilians. 436-1171
Mazarick Park Tennis Center: 1612 Belvedere Drive. Eight lighted hard courts open to public. 433-1547
Tokay Park: 328 Hamilton St. Six lighted, matted courts open to public. 433-1547
Lake Rim Park: 2214 Tar Kiln Drive. Two lighted hard courts open to public. 424-6134
Cumberland County schools: When school is not in session.