Play starts here
Anticipated Completion: Spring 2025
The extraordinary opportunity to create one of the most spectacular play spaces in the country begins with the first project identified in the Master Plan, the Gipson Play Plaza.
A place for play and gathering
The Play Plaza is a transformative addition to Dix Park, designed by Michael Van Valkenburg Associates as a welcoming gateway that invites visitors of all ages to play, gather, and connect with nature.
The Dix Park Conservancy supported the project by advocating for the 2022 Parks Bond and securing essential private contributions, including a $10 million lead gift from Pat and Tom Gipson.
The construction team is working hard to put the finishing touches on! Watch a live feed of the construction camera.
Key Features
Fountain Plaza
This iconic entrance to the Play Plaza features a waterfall wall as a sunlit backdrop to the main plaza. Complete with a grand stair that can double as seating, this space is design to be a venue for community gatherings, performances, and celebrations.
Adventure Play Areas
A collection of unique play elements—including multi-level climbing structures, skywalks, a slide valley, a sensory maze, an interactive water play station and a sand bowl—encourage children to engage in creative, active play.
Picnic Grove
A scenic picnic area with plenty of tables, umbrellas, and grills offer space for families and friends to share a meal and enjoy each other's company in the park.
House of Many Porches Market
As the first permanent concessions point at Dix Park, the market is a significant milestone in the park's evolution. It's housed in a beautifully-restored 1898 Victorian cottage that once served as a dormitory for nurses who worked at Dix Hospital. The House of Many Porches Market will provide visitors with grab-and-go food and drinks, park merchandise, and a selection of local goods.
