by Amy Lee Clark

Created on: May 26, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2010

 Pullen Park is a place that everyone in Raleigh loves. It the usual "haunt" for family outings, a fresh-air walk, birthday parties, a reunion, or for the kids from NCSU to just hang out. There is something for everyone at Pullen Park; even for a pet.

Pullen Park, the 14th oldest recreational park in the world, like its name suggests, was planned, designed and created by the vision of Richard Stanhope Pullen; one of his many donations to the State of North Carolina. It has an area of 78 acres, is west of downtown in Raleigh and is walking distance from Cameron Village, the shopper's delight of Raleigh. Pullen Park's main entrance is at 520 Ashe Avenue and the other entrances to the many facilities inside the park are on Pullen Road and Western Boulevard.

This park was inaugurated and open to public on March 22nd 1882, and became an historic landmark and the prized jewel of Raleigh and of North Carolina at large. In 1888, Mr. Pullen hired a caretaker by the name Wiley A Howell, who player a major role in defining the very nature of the present day Pullen Park. The Lake Howell situated inside Pullen Park was named after the park caretaker, Mr. Howell.

Pullen Park covers all possible fun activities that can be packed into a day from land to water games and from romance to arts and theatre. Inaugurated and opened to the world in 1882, Pullen Park still lives out the dreams of its visionary.

PULLEN AQUATIC CENTRE

This park is very distinct in being the first public park in NC. Initially it had a swimming pool (1891) which was exclusively for men and in 1895, women were also given access to a pool. However, the pool has been replaced by the present day Pullen Aquatic Centre since 1992. The Pullen Aquatic Centre runs the "American Red Cross Learn-to-swim"- program, which teaches students of all age groups to swim. The classes are conducted on eight levels depending on the age and the level of swimming proficiency of the student.

* Parent and Child Level A: Ages 6 months to 18 months

* Parent and Child Level B: Ages 18 months to 5 years

* Level 1, Introduction to water skills: Ages 3 years and up

* Level 2, Fundamental Water Skills: Ages 3 years and up

* Level 3, Stroke Development

* Level 4, Stroke Improvement

* Level 5, Stroke Refinement

* Level 6, Professional Classes (Fundamentals of Diving, Fitness Swimmer, Lifeguard Readiness, Personal Water Safety)

PULLEN PARK AMUSEMENT

Past the entrance of the park, after the Concessions ticket ($1 per head per ride)

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