Davie County Community Park was created on the site of the old Davie County High School located at 151 Southwood Drive in Mocksville. A few of the original buildings remain on site, including the school's gymnasiums.
When looking at the park from Highway 601, one of the first things folks will see is the splash pad. At the time the park opened, this splash pad was the largest in North Carolina at 7350 square feet. My family tried out the splash pad in the summer of 2020. At the time, reservations were required due to the pandemic, so if you are thinking about this option, I would recommend planning a couple of weeks ahead in case the reservations are filling up. The splash pad offers a variety of fun and colorful structures with water options for those who are looking for a major soaking to those who would just like the mist and about everything in between. They offered a nighttime splash pad opportunity with cool lights that was a success, so I wouldn't be surprised if they offered that one again.
Behind the splash pad is the main building with the gymnasiums, meeting rooms, and conference rooms. My crew has not utilized the indoor facilities, and I can't see on the web site whether reservations are required for shooting a few hoops, etc. I have seen groups playing basketball and pickleball and I've seen group exercise advertised, so check with the park if you are interested in these options.
My crew is particularly drawn to the Elevate Fitness course. It is set up similar to a Ninja Warrior course with the few signs for direction. Some of the equipment lends itself well to interpretation and variation. For example, the monkey bars offer bars and knobs for moving from one side to the other. There are also short lanes for practicing various drills.
A playground is beside this area and offers some pretty cool features for kids with a wide variety of abilities, including those who are wheelchair-bound. They have areas for climbing, swinging, spinning, and even playing a musical memory game. Covered picnic tables are in between the Elevate Fitness course and the playground, which is nice for parents who have children of different ages.
The park offers a nice variety of walking trails, from the track in the stadium to a gravel walking area around the ball field featuring a children's book story. I thought that was a great idea for integrating exercise with literacy. Be careful on the far side of that gravel walking trail because there are a few remaining drainage issues with some areas that have created some dips.
At the back of the storybook walking trail is a wooded paved trail leading down into the woods. This trail winds back and forth down a hill to a boardwalk. Along this trail are educational signs that encourage people to learn more about nature. Beyond the boardwalk is a wooded area that has not yet been developed. My crew would love to see a ropes course and zip lines down there!
Moving back up toward the highway is another paved trail that moves past the dog run areas and the ampitheater and two large open areas of grass. A few more sheltered picnic tables are in this area. Park staff have offered a variety of fun outdoor activities in this area, from a lighted pumpkin walk after dark to a dog Easter egg hunt.
Bathroom facilities are located near the playground. Since this was formerly a large high school, the bathrooms offer a lot more stalls than one might expect at a county park. Horseshoe pits and bocce courts are located near the large parking area.
The high school had a memory garden with stones that memorialize various students and faculty/staff who passed on while the high school was in that location. The memory garden is still located close to Highway 601. My family enjoys walking in this shaded and serene area as well.
Once the pandemic hit, things have changed a bit at the park. COVID testing and vaccines are being administered in the main parking lot several days during the week with port-a-johns available in the parking lot area. Those who are wanting to enjoy the park's amenities may wish to use the parking lot on the left side when facing the park from Highway 601 if these events are going on at the time you visit.
My family has visited this park several times to walk, use the outdoor fitness equipment, and participate in a couple of their activities. The staff have been friendly and helpful and I think it will be interesting to see what opportunities they will offer next.
Visit the Davie County Community Park official web site for more information on the park, including hours, prices, reservations, photos, and more.
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