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https://raleighnc.gov/projects/john-chavis-memorial-park
09/04/2026 4:27 pm

image of underwater pool swimming lanes

John Chavis Memorial Park

A Parks Bond Project

Updated: Sep 4, 2026

Project Overview

Funded by the 2022 Parks Bond, Phase 2 of the John Chavis Memorial Park Master Plan will bring a new aquatic facility to the park. This will be an exciting development for all ages with indoor and outdoor pools and a two-story waterslide. Inside the building there will be a pool for lap swimming and a therapy pool. The outdoor pool will include a lazy river, a vortex, and a large water recreation area. The two-story waterslide will be located on the deck with the outdoor pool. 

The Aquatic Center will have locker rooms, a multipurpose meeting/party room, along with offices and other support areas. The site parking will be reconfigured to serve the Center and Park in general. 

This project will also include upgrades to the Heritage Plaza, including a new historically inspired art piece, repairs to the stone bridge, and connection to the new South Park Heritage Trail. 

Interactive Map of Park Projects
2022 Parks Bond Spending Tracker
List of Park Projects

Art in the Park: 

Charlotte-based artist J. Stacy Utley has produced imagery for the aquatic center and decorative paneling along custom benches in Chavis Heritage Plaza. "The Gathering Place" will be located near the historic carousel house in what was the original heart of the park. "When We Could Fly" will be installed in the aquatic center lobby. 

Project Details

 
Type:
Parks
Budget:
$53,950,000 Design and Construction funded by the 2022 Parks Bond
Contractors:
Design Consultant - Evoke Architecture; Construction Manager at Risk - Holt Brothers Construction and Barnhill Contracting Company, Public Artist - Stacey Utley

Contact

 

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources 
Lauren Reid
Lauren.Reid@raleighnc.gov
919-996-4797

Engineering Services
Kevin Roberts
Kevin.Roberts@raleighnc.gov
919-996-3017

Lead Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
Participating Department:
Engineering Services
Service Unit:
Parks

Subscribe

 

Planning

No planning phase involved in this bond project. Park Master Plan was adopted by the City Council in 2014.

Design

The Schematic Design was approved by the City Council on Dec. 3, 2024. The project will be in the Design Development and Construction Document Phases through 2026.

Construction

Complete

Project Schedule

DateActivity
2024 - 2025Schematic Design
2025 - 2027Design Development, Construction Documents, Permitting and Bidding
2027-2029Construction

Public Participation

The public process for the John Chavis Aquatic Center and Heritage Plaza Park project followed the Collaborate pathway, as outlined in the City of Raleigh Public Participation Playbook. 

This project involved participation in a joint Community Advisory Group (CAG). A CAG is a membership-specific committee of community members that provides oversight of the project planning process and ensures that decisions include a broad representation of the community and stakeholders impacted by the project. CAG members help facilitate information sharing with the community. The joint CAG for this project reviewed the proposed designs of the John P. Top Greene African American Cultural Center project, the Chavis Aquatic Center project, and the South Park Heritage Trail project. At the end of the planning and early design process, the CAG provided a recommendation for the designs to move forward for Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board consideration and Council presentation and approval. 

The Public Participation concluded with City Council approval of the schematic design on Dec. 3, 2024

Resources

 

Council Presentation - Situation Assessment and CAG Member Selection

Council Presentation - Schematic and Concept Designs

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