Quarry Park in Winston-Salem, NC

By Jessica Thomas Lewis

Hidden off Reynolds Park Road in Winston-Salem, Quarry Park offers a nice place for passive activities and relaxation.  The access road is next to the William Roscoe Anderson Jr. Recreation Center.   Just minutes from downtown,  this 228-acre park includes a 12-acre quarry with 130-foot bluffs that overlook waters that are so clear you can see dozens of feet below the surface.

The park includes open green space with walking/biking trails, overlooks and an observation platform over the quarry.  Quarry Park also has an event lawn and lawn amphitheater. Winston-Salem's downtown skyline and the Sauratown mountains can be seen in the distance.

The park includes the Waughtown Greenway Connector, providing access from Reynolds Park and the Salem Creek Greenway.  There is a greenway rest area with bike parking and several bike racks throughout the park.

Cool sculptures made for sitting adorn the walking trails and there are lots of metal benches for quiet moments and spectacular views.  The metal benches were designed to resemble the screens once used to sort gravel in the old quarry.  Water fountains and trash receptacles are placed along the trails and there are picnic tables.

There is a public restroom tucked under the observation platform. The walls to the restroom are made of large gravel, such as the gravel that was produced by the old quarry for use in the construction of Business 40 and US 52.  The park is handicap accessible and is stroller and dog friendly.

Entry is free and there is plenty of parking.  Quarry Park is perfect for a quiet afternoon outside.

Bailey Park in Downtown Winston-Salem

Downtown Winston-Salem has another great place to hang out. Bailey Park, located on Patterson Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Street is located in the Innovation Quarter. We found this park to have soft, luscious green grass in an urban green space oasis. 

Bailey Park is 1.6 acres of publicly available space. There is a large grassy area with fun mural on the wall that acts as the base to the stage and patio area. 

Bailey Park has a covered stage, restroom facilities, and food truck court, in addition to the big grassy area. There are brightly colored tables and chairs in the stage area. A few tables have large umbrellas. There is a comfortable decline on the lawn and the kids rolled down a few times. There is also flat area.

Parking seems easy, with lots of spots directly in front. There is additional street parking and there are parking decks close by. There is a bike rack. 

There is still a lot of renovation taking place around Bailey Park. It is within walking distance of the Arts District with retail and restaurants very close by. The park is 5 minutes from both Business 40 and 52.

This park is great to bring a blanket and a book, a soccer ball or frisbee, or a picnic lunch. This is a wonderful space in our up and coming downtown.

You can view the calendar of events for Bailey Park here.

We love the 525@Vine building (our family just calls it the "at" building.)  Our home is 10 minutes from downtown, and the "at" building is a cool thing to pass as we head home, especially at night.   

 View directly across the street from Bailey Park

There is still lots of renovation taking place, as you can see in the gutted buildings behind the park.

There is a sign stating that this building, located between the two smokestacks, is soon going to house restaurant and retail. 

What's your favorite "new" place in Downtown Winston-Salem.  Please leave a comment!



All photos by Jessica st Lewis. Do not reproduce.

Top 9 Facebook Posts of the Week for the Triad

I love Old Salem Museums & Gardens. When is the last time you visited?

Another picture-perfect morning at Old Salem

Photo above and below from Old Salem Museums & Gardens


Old Salem, including the Heritage Bridge, has been decorated with lighted Moravian stars and pine garlands.  
So pretty!  It's the perfect time of year to visit!

This is exactly what PIedmont Triad Living stands for. 
Live Laugh Love Play Shop Local.
 #supportlocalbusinesses

Fleet Feet is moving and expanding!

"We are on the move! Excited to announce that we will be moving to the new HanesTowne Village on Stratford Rd. in March 2015! 7200 square feet, a community room dedicated to training programs, educational clinics, and community fitness building, and state-of-the-art retail design! And best part.....direct access to the BEST LOCAL RUNNING ROUTES, right from the store!"

Fleet Feet Sports, Winston-Salem

The Triad's only hot glassblowing studio with public viewing daily. Check out The Olio, they just celebrated their grand opening this weekend!

The Olio

Loving these cute little gingerbread men by Angela Cable! Be sure to check out the KACG holiday store, filled with handmade items by local artists.

We played a little game.  

Who can tell me where this spot is? 
Next question ~~ what stood on this spot in 1923? 
Give you a hint ~~ 
if you follow#piedmonttriadliving on instagram you may already know the answer (to the first question, not to the second)!

 ˙lood ƃuıɯɯıʍs ɹoopʇno ǝɥʇ pǝʞoolɹǝʌo ǝɔuo ʇɐɥʇ oıʇɐd ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ 'suǝpɹɐƃ ɐplouʎǝɹ ʇɐ uǝʞɐʇ sɐʍ oʇoɥd sıɥʇ

COMING SOON to Greensboro Science Center. 

SKYWILD - Survival of the Physically Fittest - Opening April 15, 2015.

Greensboro Science Center

Winston-Salem is getting its first art-themed public park!  

See the Winston-Salem Journal's Article Here