Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center

Amenities

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

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

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.

Loaner Backpacks

Explorer backpacks are available at Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center to check out for free. Learn more about the discovery backpack program.

Programs

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.

• Nature and outdoor recreation programs
• Group programs brochure
• Group program request form

Facility Rentals

919-996-3141 | Email

Rental Information

Request your rental online using RecLink or by reaching out to the facility. 

• All complete permit requests are processed in the order in which they are received. Please allow 7 business days for forms to be processed.
• Incomplete forms will not be processed.
• All permits must be submitted 6 weeks to 1 year 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 and the Lake Johnson Park Picnic Shelter Rules prior to submitting a rental inquiry form for either the Waterfront Center or shelter rental.

Indoor Rental Spaces

Dogwood Room

• Beautiful vaulted ceiling with a floor-to-ceiling view of the park
• $80/hour (2-hour minimum)
• Max. capacity: 95 people
• Dimensions: 42' × 32'
• Audio-visual equipment available for additional fee

Lady's Slipper Room

• An ideal classroom or meeting space for smaller groups
• $65/hour (2-hour minimum)
• Max. capacity: 30 people
• Dimensions: 24' × 26'
• Audio-visual equipment available for additional fee

Warming Kitchen

• $25/hour
• Access to both the Dogwood and Lady Slipper rooms through drop-down dividers
• Includes refrigerator, freezer, stove, microwave, and counter space
• May only be rented in conjunction with a meeting space rental

Gallery

• $30/hour
• Offers additional space to set up tables or allow groups to mingle
• May be rented only in conjunction with both the Dogwood and Lady's Slipper rooms

Outdoor Rental Spaces

Deck

• Easily accessible from either main room, offers shade and stunning views
• $35/hour (2-hour minimum)
• Dimensions: 42' × 25'

Birds Nest 

• Walk among the trees with this deck extension
• $35/hour (2-hour minimum)
• Dimensions: 13' × 12

Rental Fees