Excitement was in the crisp Fall air during the Pullen Park preview event on Thursday afternoon and it’s not going to die down any time soon. Children played on swings, adults rode the newly renovated carousel, and the train sounded off when leaving the station. It’d been nearly two years since the amusement area had been open and the smiles say it all – it’s well worth the wait.
Pullen Park is located at 520 Ashe Ave, just west of Downtown Raleigh and at the edge of NC State University. The renovations to the amusement center cost more than six million dollars and are part of the 2003 Parks & Rec Bond Referendum. During the renovations, the Pullen Arts Center and Aquatic Center remained open.
Upon entering the park, your eyes are immediately drawn to the new sign extending across the walkway. Near the entrance is the new Pullen Place, serving healthy, local fare at very reasonable prices. Adjacent to the cafe is a large outdoor eating area, restrooms, and the Welcome Center where you can learn more about the park, purchase tickets for rides, or purchase park schwag.
If you head right, you can explore the various playground and climbing areas, swing sets, sand and water play areas, misting fountains, tire swing, and open play areas. The different play areas have guides indicating the ages appropriate for the equipment.
Also in this area is a restored caboose with seating inside for having a picnic. Smaller children can also enjoy a boat ride for one ticket. A must-see attraction is the CP Huntington miniature train ride, which is great for all ages and a beautiful way to explore the park from the perimeter. The views of the park from the train, especially around the lake, are gorgeous.
Another main attraction at the park is the carousel. With over 50 hand-carved animals, it is a Dentzel Carousel housed in a gorgeous new building. Among the animals you can ride are pigs, ostriches, horses, and billy goats, just to name a few. The Wullitzer organ produces music that sets the mood. The Pullen Park emblems outside the building provide a royal touch to the carousel. The weather vein atop the building is unique in that it contains colored glass and animals other than just horses.
Heading from the carousel to the lake, you’ll pass a large pavilion with picnic tables, another restroom building, the pedal boats, and the Andy & Opie statue. Be sure to stroll around Lake Howell, where you can admire the waterfront views, stop for photo ops, or enjoy the fauna. The new bridges are spectacles in themselves, adding a rolling hills feeling to the park.
With so many things to do, see, and hear at Pullen Park, you may not notice the attention paid to the small details. The cedar shakes, green color palette, emblems, new landscaping mixed with mature trees, and stonework are also worth mentioning as it all adds to the atmosphere of the park.
The park’s grand opening is Saturday, November 19 from 10am-6pm. Be sure to also purchase tickets for Holiday Express, where Pullen Park is transformed into a Holiday Wonderland from December 8-11, 4pm-7pm.
November 19th Grand Opening Event Schedule
10:00 am: Park & Amusement Rides Open
2:00 pm: Pullen Park Dedication (Main Stage)
3:00pm-6:00pm: Entertainment and Musical Performances
Thumbs up: playground area, views around lake, carousel, unique details in woodwork/design, miniature train ride, Pullen Place
Thumbs down: not many, but parking may be tough, especially in the beginning months
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- Another view of the entrance sign
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- Tunnel for the miniature train ride
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- Order food from Pullen Place
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- Newly paved parking lot
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- Outdoor eating area near Pullen Cafe
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- Pullen Place features local, healthy fare at reasonable prices
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- Time to head inside
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- Newly landscaped areas near the entrance
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- Small amphitheater area
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- Tots swings at the playground
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- More swings including swings for children with special needs
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- A tot enjoying the new tot swings
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- So many swings for swinging on
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- A tire swing!
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- Here comes the train
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- One of the many climbing areas
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- Take a boat ride for only 1 ticket
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- Guides throughout the playground indicate ages appropriate for the equipment
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- The jungle gym area with slides and shade
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- The playground’s spongy surface
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- Another view of the jungle gym
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- One of the misting fountains
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- Another fun climbing area
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- A spider web climbing area with the train in the background
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- A small open area near the playground
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- Yet another climbing area
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- The sand area complete with shade
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- Let’s make music in the park
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- A fun area for jumping
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- More of the sandbox area
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- So much to do in the sand
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- Another playground area with shade
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- More tot swings for the wee ones
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- No park is complete without a see-saw
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- An old caboose for visiting
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- Inside the caboose
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- Several places inside the caboose for having lunch
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- One of the views from the train ride
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- Looking towards the lake from the train
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- Another great view from the train
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- Time to visit the carousel
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- Information about riding the miniature train
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- The emblem at the train entrance
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- One of the restroom buildings
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- Let’s visit the carousel
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- Information about the carousel
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- Beautiful new plantings mixed with mature trees outside the carousel
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- Beautiful leaves changing colors
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- An inside view of the carousel
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- One of the hand-carved animals
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- It’s the ostrich!
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- Some of the new plantings and stonework around the park
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- The Pullen Park emblem on the carousel building
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- Andy & Opie statue
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- A tribute to the Andy Griffith Show
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- Breath-taking views of the lake
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- Looking back towards the entrance
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- The weather vein atop the carousel
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- Information about riding the pedal boats
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- Let’s ride the pedal boats
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- One of the large pavilions for rent
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- A huge magnolia sets the stage near the lake
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- Information about Lake Howell
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- Looking across the water
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- One of the bridges
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- As the sun sets, the trees glow
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- Another bridge you cross over the water
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- Reflections on the water were beautiful
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- The bridges created a rolling hills effect over the water
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- Great views of the bridges from afar
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- More spectacular colors and views
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- Calm waters and great views
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- Even the ditches made for great photos
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- Another view of the tunnels
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- A bench you’ll pass on your stroll around Lake Howell
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- Information about the Holiday Express event
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- The Welcome Center, where you can purchase tickets or schwag
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- One of the trains crossing near the entrance
