Family jogging and man cycling in park, people walking in background.

Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness Program

Supporting healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and vibrant public spaces.


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Our Approach to Wellness Wellness Programs & Activities Community Wellness Hubs & Spaces Community Gardens & Food Access Get Involved

Health & Wellness in Raleigh Parks is about creating spaces, programs, and partnerships that support the whole person, body, mind, spirit, and community. Through fitness, nutrition, nature, social connection, and education, we work to make wellness accessible, welcoming, and rooted in the places where people already gather.

Whether you’re looking to move more, connect with neighbors, learn new skills, or simply feel better in your day-to-day life, Raleigh Parks offers opportunities to support your well-being at every stage of life.

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Explore Wellness Resources

Our Approach to Wellness

We use a Dimensions of Wellness framework to guide how programs, spaces, and services are designed across Raleigh Parks. This approach recognizes that health is more than physical activity; it includes mental well-being, social connection, access to nutritious food, environmental health, and a sense of purpose.

By using this shared framework, we aim to:

  • Create inclusive programs that reflect community needs
  • Support prevention, resilience, and lifelong well-being
  • Connecting people to resources that strengthen the quality of life

Wellness Programs & Activities

Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness programs support residents through a wide range of offerings, including:

  • Fitness & Physical Activity – group fitness classes, strength training, walking programs, and movement for all abilities
  • Nutrition & Food Education – cooking demonstrations, garden-based learning, and healthy eating resources
  • Mental & Emotional Well-Being – mindfulness, stress reduction, and trauma-informed programs
  • Outdoor & Nature-Based Wellness – greenway activities, nature engagement, and outdoor fitness
  • Social Connection – opportunities to build relationships, reduce isolation, and strengthen community ties

Programs are offered across parks, community centers, and seasonal pop-ups throughout the city.

Community Wellness Hubs & Spaces

The exterior of the neighborhood center at Glen Eden Pilot Park

Community Wellness Hubs are spaces within Raleigh Parks that intentionally bring together multiple dimensions of wellness in one place. These hubs serve as welcoming points for fitness, education, connection, and community engagement.

Glen Eden Pilot Park

  • Glen Eden Pilot Park is our first Community Wellness Hub, serving as a testing ground for integrated health and wellness programming. The site hosts a mix of fitness activities, wellness education, community gatherings, and opportunities for residents to share feedback that helps shape future offerings.
  • Help shape the future of Glen Eden Pilot Park! Meet your future community wellness hub and give us your feedback about what you'd like to see at one of our upcoming open houses. Learn more about the Glen Eden Open House Series.

Community Gardens & Food Access

two people in a garden

Raleigh Parks community gardens support health, connection, and environmental stewardship by providing spaces where residents can grow food, learn together, and build relationships.

Learn More About Community Gardens

Get Involved

Health & Wellness thrives through community participation. Residents can get involved by:

  • Make a difference in your community by volunteering with Raleigh Parks
  • Sharing feedback to help guide future programming
  • Partnering with Raleigh Parks to support community well-being

Community Partners

Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness collaborates with trusted local and regional partners to expand access to food, education, safety, and supportive services. These partnerships help strengthen community impact and ensure programs are responsive to resident needs.

Featured Partners

  • Inter-Faith Food Shuttle - Partnering to support community gardens, food access, and nutrition education by connecting gardens to broader hunger-relief and food distribution efforts.
  • Wake County Child Nutrition Services - Collaborating on the Summer Meals Program to help ensure children and families have access to nutritious meals when school is not in session.
  • North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition - Supporting overdose prevention education and harm reduction efforts, including training, resources, and community safety initiatives.
  • Wake County Behavioral Health - Partnering to advance public and behavioral health, including overdose prevention, education, and community-based wellness strategies.

Partner With Us

Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness welcomes partnerships that align with our mission to support healthy people, connected communities, and inclusive public spaces.

Whether you’re a nonprofit, public agency, healthcare provider, educational institution, or community-based organization, we’re interested in exploring ways to work together.

Interested in partnering with Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness?

Complete the Partner Interest Form below or contact us at PRCRhealthandwellness@raleighnc.gov.

Partner Interest Form

1. Organization Information
2. Organization Type
3. Contact Information
4. Partnership Interests

Which Health & Wellness focus areas best align with your organization? (Select all that apply)

5. Type of Partnership Sought

How would you like to partner with Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness? (Select all that apply)

Please briefly describe your organization’s mission and how you envision partnering with Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness.

7. Target Population(s)

Who would this partnership primarily serve? (Select all that apply)

8. Locations & Availability

Preferred location(s) for partnership activities

Is there anything else you would like us to know about your partnership interest?

I understand that submission of this form does not guarantee a partnership and that Raleigh Parks Health & Wellness will follow up as capacity and alignment allow.

Contact

 

Ainsley Worrell, Health and Wellness Program Director
ainsley.worrell@raleighnc.gov

Samantha Williams, Health and Wellness Coordinator samantha.williams@raleighnc.gov

Amy Ballard, Community Garden Coordinator amy.ballard@raleighnc.gov 

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Lead Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources