Bill Cooke Park
Rate this placeNearby: Haw River Community Park Dothan Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bill Cooke Park is a popular recreational area located in the city of Salisbury, North Carolina.
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Summary
The park offers a variety of activities for visitors such as hiking, fishing, picnicking, and playing sports. One of the main draws to the park is its large lake, which is stocked with catfish, bass, and bream, making it an excellent spot for fishing enthusiasts. The park also features several playgrounds, a basketball court, and a disc golf course for visitors to enjoy.
Notable points of interest in the park include the Veterans Memorial Plaza, which pays homage to local military veterans, and the Rowan County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Additionally, several hiking trails wind through the park's natural areas, and visitors can see a variety of wildlife such as deer and foxes.
Interesting facts about Bill Cooke Park include its history as an old quarry site, which was later transformed into a park in the 1980s. Additionally, the park hosts several events throughout the year, such as the annual Rowan County 4-H Fishing Derby, which attracts hundreds of participants.
The best time of year to visit Bill Cooke Park is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are mild, and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy its amenities during any season.
In conclusion, Bill Cooke Park is a beautiful recreational area in North Carolina that offers a variety of activities and points of interest for visitors. Whether you're a nature lover, sports enthusiast, or fishing fanatic, the park has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Haw River Community Park
Dothan Park
South Graham Park
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Big Alamance Creek
Beaver Creek