Hargraves Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hargraves Park is a public park located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for families, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts due to its numerous facilities and amenities. The park spans an area of 28 acres and features several walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. It is also home to a community center and a swimming pool.

One of the main points of interest in Hargraves Park is the Chapel Hill Community Center, which offers a variety of programs and activities for all ages. The park also has several sports fields, including a soccer field, baseball field, and basketball court. In addition, there are several picnic areas with tables and grills, making it an ideal location for outdoor gatherings.

Interesting facts about Hargraves Park include its history as a former landfill, which was transformed into a park in the 1990s. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and foxes.

The best time to visit Hargraves Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. Visitors can enjoy the park's walking trails, which offer scenic views of the surrounding area.

Overall, Hargraves Park is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to spend time outdoors in the Chapel Hill area. With its numerous facilities and amenities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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