Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.

The evolution of Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park is reaching a new level with Gipson Play Plaza, a spectacular facility scheduled to open the weekend of June 6-8, 2025.

An 18.5-acre playground and gathering space on the southern edge of the park, it’s accessible from the Lake Wheeler entrance. And public art is a key part of the presentation package.

Gipson has two signature pieces of public art, funded by the City of Raleigh’s Percent For Art program. One is by local artist Johnny Lee Chapman, who composed a poem inspired by the history of the Dix Park site. Titled “Another Day in the Life,” its verses are engraved on pecan wood slabs and steel shapes throughout the garden area. 

The other is by New York artist Mark Reigelman, “Meadow of the Deer,” consisting of three oversized deer sculptures. Where Chapman’s poem was inspired by Dix Park’s surroundings, “Meadow of the Deer” takes inspiration from Raleigh’s city flag.

“There are a lot of neat optical illusions to it as you move around and the deer seem to fade in and out of the landscape,” says Lauren Danforth, marketing and communications director for Dix Park. “It’s an ode to the stag that represents Raleigh on the flag, beautiful art that matches the landscape rooted in the space.”

Gipson Play Plaza has been years in the making, going back to the vision set forth in the city’s 2019 master plan for Dix Park. It’s meant to serve as the primary entry-point gateway attraction into the park.

“It’s intended to be a pivotal space offering a little something for everyone,” says Danforth. “Since it’s the first big project, it needs to really showcase the vision and world-class feel desired by the community as the park evolves and transforms from a hospital campus to an amazing destination park. We are very eager to share it.”

Public feedback on Gipson’s design phase happened virtually with a series of online gatherings during the Covid pandemic years. Construction started with a groundbreaking ceremony in the summer of 2022. Going on three years later, it’s finally ready.

Total construction costs for the project came to $73.5 million, funded by Raleigh's 2022 parks bond, philanthropic contributions from Dix Conservancy (which includes a $10 million naming-rights donation from Pat and Tom Gipson) and additional public funding from the city of Raleigh.

Gipson has extensive playground facilities for kids, including a sand pit, waterfall, sensory maze, climbing tower and swings. But while that’s the most attention-grabbing feature, it’s also a lot more than just a playground.

“The adventure play is the big ‘wow factor’ that will get the most buzz,” says Danforth. “It’s a central feature, unique and massive, that we think families and kids will love. But we really want to highlight that it’s not just a big playground. There are also beautiful gardens, and the first concessions anywhere in the park. So you can come get a cup of coffee, or wine or beer, and hang out in one of the rocking chairs.”

Alcoholic beverages can only be consumed in designated areas, centered around the concession area in a building known as the “House of Many Porches.”

“The House of Many Porches is the oldest residence on the hospital campus,” says Danforth. “It housed the head engineer’s and superintendent’s offices over the years, and toward the end it transitioned into headquarters for community relations and volunteer services. It got its nickname from the team because of the big front porch and wrap-around side porches. It’s been fully restored as a concessions market with gifts, food and beverages.”

Gipson Play Plaza opens to the public the weekend of June 6-8, with extra entertainment—including live music, local celebrities, food trucks and more—on the docket.

Please note that while dogs are allowed at Gipson Play Plaza, the park is recommending leaving pets at home for opening weekend due to expected crowd size. Gipson Play Plaza's normal hours will be daily, 8am-9pm, from May through September, and 9am-8pm from October through April.