The Evolution of Dix Park: A Timeline of Key Milestones
2015: Purchase of Dix Hill
The vision started to take shape when the City of Raleigh purchased the 308-acre property now known as Dix Park from the State of North Carolina. This storied land has a rich history to study, share, and celebrate as well as the promise of a bright future as Dix Park transforms to become extraordinary public space with lush green fields, bountiful gardens, and adventure play areas for all ages.
2016: Dix Park Conservancy Formed
Leaders from three grassroots organizations, Dix Visionaries, Dix 306, and Friends of Dix Park joined forces to form the Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy, the park philanthropic partner to focus on fundraising, advocacy, and community engagement.
2017: Community Engagement & Master Planning Underway
The city and Dix Park Conservancy, in partnership with world-renowned landscape architecture firm MVVA, embarked on an ambitious community engagement program to begin the process of creating Dix Park. There were over 65,000 touchpoints with the public to engage in master planning. Residents young and old from all walks of life came together to explore the park’s beauty and opportunities to help envision and design a park for everyone.
JULY 2018: Secret Garden of Sunflowers
Four acres of sunflowers drew tens of thousands of visitors for photo opps and Instagramable moments. Planted in partnership with Raleigh Water, Office of Sustainability and Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, the sunflower field served as a fun local attraction, created a wonderful pollinator habitat, and supported the City’s biofuel program.
February 2019: Master Plan Approved
Raleigh city council unanimously approved the Dix Park Master Plan to champion the creation of Dix Park. The city received overwhelming support from over 65,000 community engagement touchpoints lead by landscape architect firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
April 2019: Dreamville Music Festival
Dix Park welcomed 40,000 music fans from North Carolina, across the United States, and even points around the world to celebrate the music of J. Cole, SZA, Nelly, Rapsody, 21 Savage, and more. The first ever festival of this size was truly a celebration of music, art, community, and culture that set the stage for future large-scale events and festivals.
JUNe 2021: The chapel reopens
The Greg Poole Jr. Memorial All Faiths Chapel is renovated and opens as the Park’s first large, indoor community gathering space.
August 2022: Gipson Play Plaza Groundbreaking
The city breaks ground for the 18.5-acre Gipson Play Plaza and celebrates with the community.
january 2023: Stone Houses Restoration
Groundbreaking for the Stone Houses historic restoration project.
March 2024: Attun arrives at the park
Dewitt Godfrey’s Attun sculpture is installed in the landscape along Boylan Avenue. This is the first major piece of public art at Dix Park.
May 2024: Stone Houses grand opening
The Stone Houses site opens to the public. Situated along the historic entry to the campus, the site features the Park’s first visitor center and public restrooms.
September 2024: Flower Power
The Sunflower Power Poles, designed by Thomas Sayre, are installed along Lake Wheeler Road – in the site of the future Gipson Play Plaza.
December 2024: Get Well Soon
Lamar Whidbee installs his first major work of public art, “Get Well Soon” on the Spruill Building.
January 2025: Welcome, Preston
Preston Montague joins the Conservancy as its inaugural Dix Park Artist in Residence.
Spring 2025: Play starts here
The Gipson Play Plaza is nearing completion! The community can expect a grand opening weekend celebration with fun for the whole family.
Fall 2025: The trolls move in
Thomas Dambo's trolls are moving into their new home in Dix Park!
