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Rec Acres
Recreation Acres
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Central Park amphitheater
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Stokes Family YMCA
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King Public Library
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The beautiful Dan River
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Sauratown Mountain Range with Pilot Mountain in foreground

Recreation

As the Gateway to the Foothills, the City of King recognizes the important role recreational opportunities play in our quality of life and maintains a strong commitment toward meeting the recreational needs of its citizens and visitors. Nestled in the southwestern corner of Stokes County at the bottom of the Sauratown Mountain Range and adjacent to the iconic Pilot Mountain, King has committed itself to provide plentiful and diverse recreation opportunities. Our wonderful park facilities and the daily programming facilitated by both our Parks and Recreation Department and our lively Senior Center create the perfect stepping off point for enjoying all this area has to offer. 

Visit www.ci.king.nc.us/parksrecreation and www.ci.king.nc.us/seniorcenter to view calendars of community events, classes, and programs - there's something for everyone!

Check out our featured article in Triad New Home Guide! 

Recreation Acres

The City of King operates an active recreation park known as Recreation Acres at the intersection of West Dalton Road and White Road. Rec Acres contains a two story community building, the bottom level of which houses our Senior Center. Both levels can be rented for civic and social activities - to reserve the top floor, call the Parks and Recreation department at 336-985-1115. For the bottom level (Senior Center), contact Senior Center staff at 336-983-0751. Details and photographs of the building interior can be found on our "Facility Rentals" page.  A picnic shelter with grills is also available for reservation.

In Fall 2018, construction was completed on an all-inclusive, community funded and built playground, known as Everyone's Playground. A wonderful benefit to our community and a draw for visitors, this large playground features a wheelchair swing, audiovisual play implements, and play equipment divided into age-appropriate sections. It is open from dawn-dusk seven days a week, and can be found at 107 White Rd. Everyone's Playground also features a small picnic shelter which can be reserved for gatherings by calling the Parks and Recreation department at 336-985-1115.

Recreation Acres also features six ball fields, three of which are lighted, surrounding a full concession stand. These fields host Little League baseball and softball leagues in both the Fall and Spring. While the city owns and operates these fields, the leagues are organized and run independently by dedicated community volunteers. In 2005, the City of King applied for and was awarded a PARTF grant, which added several soccer fields, an additional concession stand, and a skate park to the southeastern side of the park. This side of the park is found at 136 Rec Acres Ln - there is no vehicle access through the middle of the park. 

The next addition to Rec Acres will be a Dog Park, projected to be completed in 2020. The Dog Park will be funded primarily through community fundraising, and as of June 2020, enough funds had been donated by generous citizens and local businesses to begin construction! The Dog Park will be located within the Soccer Complex, next to the skate park - found at 136 Rec Acres Ln. 

 

 Central Park

The City of King's other park, Central Park, is the perfect complement to active Recreation Acres, a beautiful 30 acre natural park in the heart of the City of King adjacent to King Elementary School. This natural, wooded park contains a large outdoor amphitheater, a historic 18th century log cabin and outdoor kitchen, numerous walking trails, and a pond complete with a small fishing deck. Fishing is allowed at the pond on a “catch and release” basis. Central Park is a peaceful place to bring your family for quiet picnics and other gatherings. Because Central Park is designed to be a passive, natural park, skateboards and bicycles are not permitted.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Stokes Family YMCA

The City is proud to support the local YMCA and the beneficial services it provides the community. The YMCA's state-of-the-art facility includes an aerobics studio, cardiovascular center, indoor track, racquetball courts, indoor pool, basketball and volleyball courts, exercise machines and free weights, and whirlpool, steam and sauna. Programs include before and after school child care, swimming lessons for adults and children, youth and adult sports, water exercise, senior programs, teen programs, summer day camps, and aerobic classes. YMCA Camp Hanes is also located about 8 miles north of King amidst the beautiful Sauratown Mountain range. 

 

 

 

 

 


King Public Library

The King Public Library, 101 Pilot View Street (336) 983-3868, is a member of the Northwestern Regional Library. The library provides a variety of services including books, magazines, and movies. The library also has several public computers and provides public access to the Internet. Other services include preschool storytime, a Summer Reading Program for children and young adults, a public meeting room, and Job Link, an invaluable resource for those seeking employment, provided through partnership with Forsyth Tech Community College. A wide variety of online library resources can be accessed through their website. 

 

 

 

 

Other recreation opportunities:

  • Hanging Rock State Park, located in the Sauratown Mountain Range, offers a large lake, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping views which make it one of the most visited state parks in North Carolina.
  • Pilot Mountain State Park, comprised of the landmark mountain as well as sections of the majestic Yadkin River, is an adventurer's paradise with some of the best rock climbing opportunities on the East Coast. 
  • The American Legion Post and county fairground in King provide facilities for many events including the annual Stokes County Fair, held the second week in September.
  • Horne Creek Living History Farm, a North Carolina Historic Site, which serves as a "historical laboratory," a 100-acre, operational farm using circa 1900 tools, household items and even breeds of livestock and varieties of plants which were available to farmers of that era. Horne Creek is located in the neighboring community of Pinnacle, about 9 miles west of King. Find directions and additional information from their website here. 
  • The Dan River, in Northern Stokes County, offers dramatic and pastoral scenery ranging from rocky cliffs to rolling pastures on its course through Stokes County. Five public access points enable canoers, rafters and tubers to select the length of their trip. For shuttles, contact the Dan River Company, a long-standing outfitter with a brewhouse at the take out - enjoy a paddle and finish with a cold brew!
  • A local farmer's market is held every Saturday throughout the summer in the public parking lot across from King City Hall (229 S Main St)