Optimist Park Community Center

Open

Closed

$

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Raleigh

β€’

4.5
Optimist Park Community Center offers extensive recreational facilities including a gym, year-round pool, playgrounds, sports fields, and scenic nature trails.

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πŸ“

Optimist Park Community Center

Raleigh

$

Discover Optimist Park Community Center in Raleigh with indoor pools, playgrounds, sports fields, and scenic trails perfect for all ages.

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About
4.5
(
249
)

Guests enjoy a vast community space featuring a gymnasium with classrooms, meeting rooms, and a warming kitchen. The property boasts an Olympic-sized year-round pool, shallow pools for toddlers, lighted baseball and tennis courts, basketball courts, playground areas with unique equipment, and paved nature trails connected to nearby greenways.

What To Expect:

    🏊 Year-round temperature-controlled Olympic pool
    πŸ› Multiple playgrounds with creative equipment
    πŸ€ Lighted sports courts (baseball, tennis, basketball)
    🌲 Scenic nature trails linked to Shelley Lake Greenway

Important Information:

    – Hours vary by day, generally open 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays
    – No cash accepted, credit cards only
    – Wheelchair accessible entrances, parking, and restrooms
    – Suitable for all ages and community activities
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πŸ“ Local Insights

🏊 Pool Features: The center offers a massive indoor Olympic-sized pool that's temperature controlled and open year-round, perfect for all seasons.

🌲 Trails & Greenway: The park connects to Shelley Lake Greenway, providing scenic paved paths for walking and jogging.

🎾 Sports Facilities: Lighted baseball and tennis courts ensure play extends into the evening, though some suggest lighting improvements.

πŸ› Playground Variety: Enjoy two separate playgrounds with rubberized surfaces and multiple climbing and swinging options themed around the woods.

⏰ Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Sunday: 1:00 PM–6:00 PM

πŸ‘‰ Best For

Families, community activities, sports enthusiasts, children

Optimist Park Community Center

5900 Whittier Dr
,
Raleigh
,
NC
27609

Review Sentiment

Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Visitors praise the clean, well-maintained facilities and the wide variety of amenities including the large, temperature-controlled pool and versatile playgrounds. The community center is valued for its family-friendly environment and diverse recreational options. Some concerns about staff communication and lighting at sports courts appear but are not widespread.
Last updated on
December 9th, 2025

From The preserve

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Angler’s Offerings

What You'll Find

Gymnasium; Meeting Rooms; Warming Kitchen; Year-Round Pool; Toddler Pool; Playground; Baseball Fields; Tennis Courts; Basketball Courts; Nature Trails; Wheelchair Accessible; Credit Card Payments Accepted; Picnic Tables

πŸ“† Best Times to Visit

Visit weekdays between 10 AM and 6 PM to avoid peak crowd; evenings on Tue–Thu see highest usage; weekends busy mid-morning to early afternoon.
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