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Parks #4 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Southern Community Park

4.7 · 628 reviews
Active, community-focused, and family-friendly.
Southern Community Park, 1000 Sumac Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
Interesting facts
1

The park contains a 0.75-mile paved trail that is part of a larger planned greenway network in the Chapel Hill area.

2

It features a dedicated, fenced in-line hockey court, which is a relatively rare amenity for municipal parks in this region.

3

The park is situated on land that includes significant environmental buffers, protecting local water quality.

4

The two synthetic turf fields are equipped with high-intensity lighting systems to facilitate evening play.

5

The playground incorporates equipment designed to be accessible for children with varying physical abilities.

Overview

Southern Community Park is a 70-acre multi-use public recreation area in Chapel Hill managed by the town’s Parks and Recreation department. The facility features two synthetic turf multi-purpose fields and a natural grass field suitable for soccer and lacrosse. A paved, multi-use trail spans approximately 0.75 miles, providing a loop through both open meadows and wooded sections. The park includes a dedicated in-line hockey rink and a sand volleyball court. Young visitors have access to a large playground structure with ADA-accessible features. Several picnic shelters are available for public use, often serving as hubs for community gatherings. The site serves as a vital green space, connecting to a network of local trails and preserving significant natural woodland buffers. Parking is distributed throughout the site, providing convenient access to the various sports complexes and passive recreation zones.

Photo spot

The elevated vantage point on the trail overlooking the open meadows during sunset.

Insider tips

Bring a portable chair if visiting during tournaments, as sideline seating is limited.

Utilize the forested trail sections during midday hours to escape direct sun exposure.

Check the Town of Chapel Hill park status webpage before visiting during or after heavy rainfall to ensure fields are not closed due to saturation.

What to avoid

Attempting to reserve the picnic shelters without prior town authorization if you intend to host a large, exclusive event.

Etiquette

Leashed pets are permitted; owners must clean up waste. Synthetic fields require non-cleated athletic shoes for specific activities.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings or late autumn afternoons for lower crowd levels and milder temperatures.
Address
Southern Community Park, 1000 Sumac Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
35.877, -79.067
Get directions
Details
Shade & rest areasMultiple picnic shelters and wooded trail segments
Facility typesSynthetic turf fields, in-line hockey rink, sand volleyball court

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings or late autumn afternoons for lower crowd levels and milder temperatures..

The elevated vantage point on the trail overlooking the open meadows during sunset.

Close by you'll find Dean E. Smith Center, Kenan Memorial Stadium, North Carolina Botanical Garden.

United States of America

About Chapel Hill, North Carolina