New Hanover County Parks & Gardens efficiently maintains over 25 parks and athletic facilities. The department manages over 2,800 acres of green space, sporting areas, boat ramps, fishing areas, public spaces, walking trails and non-park properties, including historic Airlie Gardens. Click the locations below to see what each has to offer.
300 Airlie Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
Driving Directions
(910) 798-7700
For more information: www.airliegardens.org
Detailed interactive map »
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Admission:
$9 Adults
$5 NHC Residents/Military
$3 Children age 4-12
After celebrating more than a century of gardens by the sea, Airlie continues to amaze visitors with its breathtaking combination of formal gardens, wildlife, historic structures, walking trails, sculptures, views of Bradley Creek, 10 acres of freshwater lakes and the grandeur of the 468-year-old Airlie Oak.
Environmental Education
The Environmental Education program at Airlie Gardens seeks to educate youth and adults about environmental topics affecting our ecosystems. By cultivating minds to better understand local ecology, Airlie aims to inspire visitors to improve their quality of life through improved environmental stewardship. Educational programs include;
The Airlie Gardens Bug Zoo, located in the Garden Services Center, is an interactive exhibit and teaching tool that features nature photos by local photographers and terrariums filled with insects, spiders, reptiles, amphibians and plants – most of which are native to New Hanover County and can be found in Airlie Gardens.
Gardens
Airlie Gardens is a historic Southern garden filled with beautiful plantings, some of which are more than 100 years old. Airlie’s 67 acres of gardens are known for their spring bloom of more than 100,000 azaleas, but also offers formal display areas that bloom with continuous color year round.
Gift Shop
Visit the gift shop to purchase books and DVDs about Airlie Gardens, as well as works by local artists, great garden inspired gifts and educational items. The gift shop also carries small snacks such as crackers and cookies. Also, drink vending machines are located just outside the gift shop.
History
Airlie Gardens was established at the turn of the century by Sarah and Pembroke Jones as a private getaway showplace. Visitors experience the same garden environment that Mrs. Jones’s guests would have enjoyed in coming to her house for a party. To learn more about the history of Airlie Gardens, visit the Garden Services Center to view the historical timeline.
Picnic Tables
Airlie has a limited number of picnic tables scattered throughout the garden for use on a first come, first served basis. Guests are also welcome to bring a blanket for picnics on the lawn. Personal tables and chairs are not allowed inside Airlie Gardens.
Wedding Venues & Outdoor Event Space
Airlie Gardens offers several unique locations to hold your wedding, rehearsal dinner or special event. Our flexible availability makes it convenient for an afternoon or evening affair between the months of March and October. Airlie’s picturesque grounds and versatile settings will provide the ideal scenery for your special occasion.
720 Arnold Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Basketball Court
Disc Golf
Gaga Ball
How to Play Gaga Ball
Gaga Ball Video
Multi-purpose Field
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Tennis
3840 Juvenile Center Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Click here for Trail Conditions
Biking
Picnic Table
814 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Driving Directions
(910) 798-4370
For more information: Cape Fear Museum Park
Hours of Operation:
Dawn-Dusk
Visitors to the park can engage with hands-on exhibits, explore gardens featuring native and adaptive plants, learn about historic objects and images, and enjoy special educational activities. The park’s design provides fun, educational, family-friendly and inspiring ways to explore and enjoy nature. Located at the corner of 8th and Market Streets adjacent to Cape Fear Museum, the park is open from dawn to dusk and admission is always free.
6701 Gordon Road
Wilmington, NC 28411
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Soccer
4112 Echo Farms Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28412
Driving Directions
Phone
(910) 798-7730
For more information: Parks.NHCgov.com/EchoFarms
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 8am-8pm
Fri-Sat: 8am-6pm
Sun: 10am-4pm
Tennis
Instructional Clinics & Programs
4305 Shipyard Boulevard
Wilmington, NC 28403
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-10pm (with lights), 8am-Sunset (without lights)
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
5027 Lord Byron Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Basketball
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Outdoor Gym
Recreational Multi-Purpose Field
2700 North College Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-10pm
Tennis
314 Pine Grove Drive
Wilmington, NC 28409
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-10pm
Baseball (4 Little League fields)
Basketball Court
Dog Park
Event Lawn
Gardens
Outdoor Gym
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Splashpad
StoryWalk®
Tennis
Trail
Volleyball
Wedding Venues
401 Cathay Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Multi-purpose field
Picnic Shelter
Playgrounds
Trail
901 Piner Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-10pm (with lights), 8am-Sunset (without lights)
Baseball (2 fields)
Soccer/Football
Softball (1 field)
4700 Old Avenue
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
8am-10pm (athletic facilities with lights)
Baseball (1 field)
Basketball
Disc Golf
Football/Soccer Fields
Pickleball
Picnic Shelters
Playground
615 Ogden Park Drive
Wilmington, NC 28411
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-10pm
Baseball (3 fields)
Basketball
Dog Park
Event Space
Outdoor Gym
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Skatepark
Soccer/ Football
Softball (1 field)
Stadium
Tennis
Trail
1215 Middle Sound Loop Road
Wilmington, NC 28411
Driving Directions
For more information: Pages Creek Park Preserve
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Environmental Education
Kayak Launch
Trail
4827 Canetuck Road
Wilmington, NC 28411
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Basketball
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Recreational Multi-Purpose Field
Trail
6500 River Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Boat Ramp
Fishing
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Playground
6710 Old Bridge Site Road
Castle Hayne, NC 28429
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Boat Launch
Picnic Tables
Community Building
4412 Lake Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset (soccer)
8am-10pm (baseball)
Baseball
Soccer
633 Shenandoah Street
Wilmington, NC 28411
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Boat Launch
Fishing
Outdoor Gym
Picnic Shelter
Playground
StoryWalk®
Trail
633 Shenandoah Street
Wilmington, NC 28411
Driving Directions
For more information: Smith Creek Park Preserve
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Environmental Education
Trail
9420 River Road
Wilmington, NC 28412
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Picnic Shelters
Picnic Tables
Playground
201 Chestnut Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Driving Directions
(910) 798-6301
For more information: New Hanover County Public Library Story Park
Hours of Operation:
Dawn-Dusk
Story Park, located at the corner of 3rd and Chestnut in downtown Wilmington, extends the library experience outdoors, featuring hands-on learning for all ages with four demonstration gardens, giant musical instruments, a StoryWalk® and a life-sized chess and checker board.
423 Summer Rest Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
Driving Directions
Parking:
1981 Eastwood Road (by Port City Chop House)
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Trail
613 Trails End Road
Wilmington, NC 28409
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-Sunset
Boat Ramp
Fishing
Picnic Tables
835 Halyburton Memorial Parkway
Wilmington, NC 28412
Driving Directions
Hours of Operation:
8am-10pm
Baseball (6 fields)
Basketball
Event Space
Pickleball Courts
Picnic Shelters
Playground
Soccer
Soccer/Football
Softball (2 fields)
Tennis
Trail
Volleyball