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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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.

Residents can engage through:

  • Wellness programs and classes
  • Community events and open houses
  • Feedback opportunities and surveys

Additional Community Wellness Hub locations are planned for the future as we continue to learn and grow.

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.

Through our community garden program, we aim to:

  • Increase access to fresh, healthy food
  • Support nutrition education and garden-based learning
  • Foster community leadership and shared responsibility
  • Promote environmental sustainability and outdoor engagement

Community gardens are supported through partnerships, volunteer efforts, and ongoing guidance to help gardens thrive as welcoming neighborhood spaces.

Learn More About Community Gardens

Get Involved

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

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.

We collaborate with organizations that share a commitment to:

  • Health and wellness promotion
  • Nutrition and food access
  • Mental and behavioral health support
  • Community safety and prevention
  • Youth, family, and neighborhood Resources and well-being

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?

 

Contact

 

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

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Lead Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources