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Park Information

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Rosemary B. O'Day

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Download Crowder County Park Brochure and Map

A day at Crowder County Park provides a variety of educational and recreational activities for all ages. Park naturalists offer interpretive, hands-on environmental programs for all ages and interests, as well as outreach programs for organized community groups.

Crowder Park opened in 1998 to serve nearby communities. The park's 33 acres offer a closeness with nature along with the accessibility of maintained trails.

Crowder Pond
The park was built around Crowder Pond to provide both an aquatic habitat for animals and for use by the educational staff to provide hands-on water quality educational programs.

Outer Loop Trail
The paved trail leading around the edge of the park runs about 8/10 of a mile. It makes a wonderful scenic tour as you go by the Bird garden, Prairie garden and the shade garden near the Heron shelter.

Inner Loop Trail/Pond Trail
The inner loop trail circles Crowder Pond. This trail takes you across the boardwalk. This loop also includes the observation deck near the dam. This trail is approximately 3/10 of a mile in length.

Observation Deck
The deck is a great place to view the pond and all of the wildlife that call it home.

Shelters
Crowder has three covered picnic shelters located around the park. Each shelter has a charcoal grill and playground access.

Gardens
All along the outer loop trail are gardens focusing on different themes or purposes. The Bird garden and the Prairie garden are located along the outer loop trail between the office and the open play field. The shade garden is nestled behind the Heron shelter, and the butterfly garden is next to the office.

Open Play Area
The open play area includes a baseball backstop, a sand volleyball court, and a general play area. It is open to all and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Park Hours

8 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week – check sign at park entrance.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Park entrance is free.

Directions

Crowder County Park is located at 4709 Ten Ten Road in Apex, NC.

The park is located in Apex off Ten Ten Road, just east of the intersection with Holly Springs Road.

Rules & Regulations

Crowder Park prides itself on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all park patrons. With that in mind, please obey the following rules & regulations:

Speed limit is 20 mph.
Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. (Please clean up after your pet. Dog waste bags are provided at several locations along the trail.)
Open fires are not allowed.
Park only in designated areas.
The following are prohibited:
a. Alcoholic beverages
b. Firearms
(Firearms are prohibited except as allowed by Article 54B of NCGS Chapter 14.)
c. Fishing
d. Feeding of wildlife in the pond or elsewhere in the park
e. Hunting
f. Overnight camping
g. Swimming/wading
h. Collection, removal or release of any plant or animal material
i. Amplified music

Park History

The history of Crowder Park can be traced back to 1914 with the birth of Doris Pierce Crowder. The late Mrs. Crowder donated the 33 acres of land that was used as the site for Crowder Park. Below is an outline of the major events leading up to the Crowder Park you can visit today.

September 22, 1992

Mrs. Doris Pierce Crowder, of Durham, donates 33 acres of land to the county with the stipulation that it be used for public recreation.

Winter 1992

Wake County approves $1.9 million from the 1992 Parks Bond Referendum to build Crowder Park, in honor of Mrs. Crowder's generous donation. Nearly $250,000 is spent reconstructing Crowder Pond based on Mrs. Crowder's childhood memories of the area.

September 15, 1996

In the wake of Hurricane Fran, almost 50% of the trees on park land are uprooted. Crowder Park sustained the worst damage from Fran in the county.

June 6, 1998

Crowder Park opens its gates. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held, and Mrs. Crowder is the guest of honor.

Fall 2002

Crowder Park reaches 7,000 citizens of all ages through environmental education and outreach programs.

Crowder Park Today

Crowder Park has been in operation since 1998. Since its opening, the park has served as a public recreation area and environmental education facility for more than 200,000 community members annually.

Gardens and Wetlands

Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly garden is located just outside the park office. The garden is made up of many different species of plants that are attractive to butterflies – both the adult and larval stage. If you enjoy spotting butterflies on your travels, this garden is an excellent place to start.

Bird Garden
Crowder's Bird garden is located along the outer loop trail toward across from the office. Bird feeders have been installed to attract birds into viewing range; however, most birds are still very cautious around people.

Prairie Garden
Farther along the outer loop is the Prairie garden. This garden is made up of grass common to North Carolina prairies. Today, these prairies exist in scattered patches across the state. An interpretive panel offers a view of what the prairie landscape may have looked like.

Shade Garden
Located next to the Heron shelter is the shade garden. The garden includes two raised beds lined with stone, filled with shade-tolerant plants such as hostas and ferns. Jasmine grows over the arbor and provides a great spot to take a picture or two.

Geocaching at Crowder

The hunt is on during this high-tech "treasure" hunting activity! The idea is to use GPS devices to find hidden containers within the park. This activity is self-guided by getting coordinates from Geocaching.com and bringing your own GPS unit. Those wishing to establish a new cache must receive approval prior to placing a cache. To obtain the approval you must complete and submit a Geocache Placement Form to the park office.