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09/30/2024 11:58 am

View of the exterior at the Crowder Woodland Center

Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center

Updated: Sep 30, 2024

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Amenities Programs Facility Rentals Center Hours

Year 2016 | Landmarks Located beside Lake Johnson Pool and behind Athens Drive High School

The focus of the Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center is on environmental education and fitness. The facility offers a variety of nature and fitness programs. 

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Contact

 

919-996-3141
ljwoodlandctr@raleighnc.gov

Lake Johnson Park

Address

Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center
5611 Jaguar Park Dr
Raleigh, NC 27606

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Amenities

Trail at Lake Johnson curving into green wooded area with sun peeking through

Access to Greenway and Park Trails

  • Direct access to park's trail system
  • A short 15-minute walk from the Waterfront Program Center.
  • Walnut Creek Trail map
Pollinator garden beside woodland center building with sign

ecoEXPLORE HotSpot

The pollinator garden is now an ecoEXPLORE hot spot. EcoEXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is an incentive-based citizen science program for children in grades K–8.

Developed by the North Carolina Arboretum, this innovative pilot program combines science exploration with kid-friendly technology to foster a fun learning environment for children while encouraging them to explore the outdoors and participate in citizen science.

Learn more about ecoEXPLORE and sign up today

Indoor exhibit with information boards, screen, and turtle home

This interpretative display at the Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center includes information about protecting wetlands, birds, and plants at the park, an interactive search and find game, as well as a home for the box turtle, Jimmy. The exhibit is open to public during facility hours. 

Wildlife Viewing

  • Sit on our back deck and observe the birds that come to the feeders located on the bird’s nest.
  • At the a native pollinator garden, view the various animals that come to our flowers.
One of the discovery backpacks available for check out

Explorer backpack kits are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis whenever the park is open.

Loaner Backpacks

Explorer backpacks are available at Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center to check out for free. 

Programs

Three kids on muddy trail with magnifying glass looking at rock

Join us for one of our many programs offered at Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center! Browse and register for programs and classes at Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center on RecLink.

Facility Rentals

919-996-3141
lakejohnsonrentals@raleighnc.gov

Rental Information

Request your rental online using RecLink.

  • All complete permit requests are processed in the order in which they are received. Please allow 7 business days for forms to be processed.
  • All permits must be submitted 6 weeks to 6 months in advance of the event date.
  • 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.

For more information about renting our venues, please see our Facility Rentals Brochure.

It is recommended to review the Lake Johnson Indoor Facility Rules prior to submitting a rental inquiry form for the Thomas G Crowder Woodland Center.

Indoor Rental Spaces

Dogwood Room

  • Beautiful vaulted ceiling with a floor-to-ceiling view of the park
  • $80/hour (2-hour minimum)
  • Max. capacity: 75 people
  • Dimensions: 42' × 32'
  • Audio-visual equipment available for an additional fee

Woodland Center Additions

Room additions do not increase capacity.

View of the Lady Slipper Room at the Crowder Woodland Center

Lady's Slipper Room

  • An ideal classroom or meeting space for smaller groups
  • $65/hour
  • Dimensions: 24' × 26'
  • Audio-visual equipment available for an additional fee

Warming Kitchen

  • $25/hour
  • Access to both the Dogwood and Lady Slipper rooms through drop-down dividers
  • Includes refrigerator, freezer, warming oven, microwave, and counter space
View of the deck at the Crowder Woodland Center

Deck

  • $35/hour
  • Easily accessible from either main room, offers shade and stunning views
  • Dimensions: 42' × 25'
View of the birds nest at the Crowder Woodland Center

Birds Nest 

  • Walk among the trees with this deck extension
  • $35/hour
  • Dimensions: 13' × 12

Rental Fees

Fee Information
Application
  • $15
  • Non-refundable
Setup/Cleanup
  • $40
  • Includes: table and chair setup prior to arrival, removal of trash during and after your event, and post-event cleanup of tables, chairs, and room(s)
  • Time needed for decorating and removing personal belongings must be included in rented time
Damage Deposit
  • $100
  • Portions of the deposit may be kept for excessive cleaning, damage, and/or failure to adhere to the rental contract
Audio/Visual Equipment Usage
  • $25
  • Access to audio/visual equipment in rented spaces
Supervision Fee
  • $60/hour
  • Fee applies to all rented hours outside of normal operational hours in addition to hourly room rate.
City of Raleigh Alcohol Permit
  • $100
  • Alcohol allowed only with an approved permit, which allows for consumption of beer, wine, and champagne (no spirits or liquors)
  • Consumption of alcohol permitted only in rented spaces
  • Alcohol permits must be submitted and paid a minimum of 21 business days in advance of the event date for approval; submission does not guarantee approval of the permit
  • Fee non-refundable after permit is submitted

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.

 

Center Hours

October

 
Monday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Tuesday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Thursday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.

November–February

 
Monday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday:
8 a.m.–6 p.m.

March

 
Monday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Tuesday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Thursday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday:
8 a.m.–7 p.m.

April–September

 
Monday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Tuesday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Wednesday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Thursday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday:
7 a.m.–8 p.m.