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City Offices to Close for Memorial Day Holiday

Published 5/22/2025 at 9 a.m. Updated 5/22/2025 at 9 p.m.

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https://raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/annie-louise-wilkerson-md-nature-preserve-park
05/12/2025 1:21 pm

Pond surrounded by lush green trees

Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park

Updated: May 12, 2025

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Overview Programs Amenities Site Rentals Trails Hours

Year 2006 | Acres 157.6

The City of Raleigh received an amazing gift of 157 acres of land along Falls Lake to create its first designated nature preserve in February 2006. Dr. Annie Louise Wilkerson, a renowned Raleigh doctor with many pioneering achievements in her 53-year career in medicine, stipulated in her will that the park be maintained as a "nature preserve park" used for the primary purpose of nature and wildlife education.

Wilkerson Nature Preserve is a part of the Nature Parks, Preserves and Programs team, which includes:

Contact

 

919-996-6764

Bryan England Preserve Manager
bryan.england@raleighnc.gov 

Bonnie Eamick Assistant Manager
bonnie.eamick@raleighnc.gov 

Address

Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park
5229 Awls Haven Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614

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Overview

the driveway leading to the park office at Wilkerson Nature preserve

At the park office, you can find hands-on displays designed especially for children, free nature craft activities changed monthly, free loaner equipment: Explorer backpacks, Woodland Village backpack, Art Backpack, sandbox kit, binoculars, kites, and other nature play items. Staff are available when the park is open to answer your nature questions. 

View Park Rules

Programs

a group outdoors with child pointing at something with a stick

We are all about helping groups and individuals foster a connection with the natural world through programs like bird watching, astronomy nights, nature play, and art classes. We offer public, group, and self-guided programs. 

Find out more about nature programs

Amenities

The trail and signage leading to the nature play area
A line of artistic turtles leading down a trail
One of the few charging stations available for use
The outside of the comfort station
One of the discovery backpacks available for check out

The park offers a number of features to help you get the most of out nature including: electric car charging station, exhibits and displays, free loaner equipment (binoculars, kites, etc.), nature play areas, hiking and wildlife watching, pollinator gardens and comfort station (restrooms, water fountain, etc.). The Annie Louise Wilkerson Education Center is open to the public with exhibits, fun activities, live animals, and a new Nature Library.

Learn more about these amenities

Site Rentals

The signage and outside of the Education Center
Part of the inside of the education center
A large outdoor picnic shelter with multiple tables

Request your rental online using RecLink or contact Bryan England.

Take note: Requests will be subject to staff approval. Upon approval, payment will be required to confirm the reservation. Your reservation is not finalized until you receive confirmation of your payment.

Education Center

The former home of Dr. Wilkerson has been fully renovated for conversion into a nature park research center. It includes a multi-purpose room, a science/wet lab, an exhibit space, a reception area and a catering kitchen, pedestrian walkways and outdoor teaching space.

Dr. Annie’s will specifies that the park property be used only for nature study, wildlife education and/or conservation research. We do not host parties, weddings or similar events.

Picnic Shelter

Groups with the mission or purpose of nature study, wildlife education or conservation research may rent the shelter for educational programs when the park staff is not using it. The shelter is not rented for parties, weddings, and similar events.

  • Capacity: 60
  • $12/hr (2-hr. minimum)
  • Access to electricity

Trails

a group hiking on the trails of Wilkerson nature preserve

Three loop trails have been created on the 157-acre property. Each trail consists of dirt or grassy substrate. Trails are all moderate with slight hills, but with no drastic change in elevation. Most trails include a few stairs. There are no paved trails or greenways at Wilkerson Nature Preserve.

  • The Epps Forest Loop (0.66 mi) winds through an oak-hickory forest. 
  • The Hidden Rocks Trail (0.93 mi) features rock outcrops; a geologic guide describes the rocks and their history.
  • The Pond Loop (0.57 mi) meanders through meadows and around a one-acre farm pond. 

In addition, the Mountains-to-Sea Connector links the preserve’s trails with the Mountain-to-Sea Trail that follows the south shore of Falls Lake.

Download Trail Map

Hours

We are open Tuesday – Saturday at 10 a.m.
We are open on Sundays at 1 p.m.
We are closed on Mondays

Closing Hours Begin at Dusk
January 5:30 p.m. July 8:30 p.m.
February 6 p.m. August 8 p.m.
March 6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m. September 7:30 p.m.
April 8 p.m October 7 p.m.
May 8 p.m. November 6:30 p.m./5:30 p.m.
June 8:30 p.m. December 5 p.m.

Call Preserve at 919-996-6764 to confirm hours during City Holidays.
Upcoming 2025 Closures: June 19, July 4, Nov. 11, Nov.  27, and Dec. 24 – 26

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