16 Fenced Playgrounds in Raleigh & the Triangle

As the mom of a wild toddler, I am always looking for fenced playgrounds near me in Raleigh and around the Triangle. A fully-fenced playground can make such a huge difference when going out for a day of play, as it removes one of the many mom worries from my mind.

If you have a runner, multiple kids, or simply feel more comfortable with fully fenced-in playgrounds, this is the list for you. I’m on a mission to find and visit all of the Triangle area playgrounds, and as I discover fenced options, I’ll be sharing them here.

Consider bookmarking this page for later, so you can come back and see when n new playgrounds have been added. You can also follow us on Instagram where we share daily about our latest finds.

PS: Read about Shady Playgrounds around the Triangle next.

Merrick-Moore Park – Durham, NC

📍 632 North Hoover Road Durham, NC 27703

The playground at Merrick-Moore park is terrific. Fully fenced and with a fair amount of shade structures, it’s definitely an inviting environment.

PLUS, it is castle-themed! It doesn’t get much cuter than that.

There are swings and spinning elements, plenty of seating, and the restrooms are directly in front of the playground. This park also offers ample parking.

Apex Community Park Playground – Apex, NC

📍 Apex Community Park Dr, Cary, NC 27511 (Park entrance is 2200 Laura Duncan Road)

This is a nice fenced-in playground in Apex, right on the Cary line. The playground is coverd by huge shade-structures, which is so needed during these hot North Carolina summers.

The playground has a play structure, regular swings, baby swings, and an inclusive swing, all under shade. The ground is mulch.

I’d recommend this playground for slightly older kids. The play structure is too high for my 2 year old, with enough openings that make me nervous as a parent. For this reason, I wouldn’t put it on my list of favorite toddler playgrounds, even though I do love the fencing!

Parking: lots of spaces in the lot. Bathroom: Short walk across the parking lot.

Southern Community Park – Chapel Hill, NC

📍 1000 Sumac Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Southern Community Park Playground is colorful and very large! It is fully fenced all the way around, so although there is plenty of open space to run, I can feel secure knowing my son is contained.

This playground has a rubberized squishy ground surface, which I find to be the safest and the best for my toddler. There is a main play structure for older kids and a smaller one for toddlers.

The downside to this pretty park is that there is virtually no shade. We played here on a warm May morning and it was very toasty. The slides felt incredibly hot to the touch.

Tons of parking in the lot available. Bathrooms right nearby.

Indian Creek Greenway Trailhead – Morrisville, NC

 📍 101 Town Hall Dr, Morrisville, NC 27560

If you are looking for a smaller fenced playground, Indian Creek Trailhead’s playground is a perfect choice. It is very compact, so you can easily keep an eye on your kiddos when playing here. There are also some trees around the perimeter so this spot can be fairly shady during morning hours.

The ground here is rubberized throughout. There’s an older kids structure and a younger kids structure, and I found the younger kids option ideal for my son. There are a few benches scattered around the edge of this playground, as well as some free standing play elements like those spinning cups you can sit in.

There is ample parking directly next to the playground and a bathroom nearby.

Check out my reel for a closer look at this Triangle playground.

Hunter Street Park – Apex, NC

📍 1250 Ambergate Station, Apex, NC 27502

On my first visit to Hunter Street Park, I dubbed it the perfect toddler playground. With fencing, tons of shade, baby swings, and a play structure my child could easily manage, this feels like a true winner.

This is another one that has a fair amount of grassy space for kids to run, which makes the fence even better. We saw tons of toddlers here when we visited, so it seems as though local moms agree on this being a top choice for littles.

Also, there is plenty of parking and bathrooms are right next to the playground.

Check out my video about Hunter Street Park here!

Trinity Park Playground – Durham, NC

📍410 Watts St, Durham, NC 27701

The Trinity Park Playground is a sweet neighborhood playground set in the historic Trinity Park area of Durham. In terms of fencing, only the younger kids’ section is enclosed, as seen above. That section is ideal for playing with toddlers.

Older kids can use the adjacent, larger playground structure. Although this part is NOT fenced, this park seems to be in a quiet area and the roads did not seem overly busy to me during our visit.

Limited street parking can be found. No restrooms at this playground.

Burch Avenue Park – Durham, NC

📍 816 Burch Ave, Durham, NC 27701

I adore this playground. With play structures boasting the most intense, neon hues, tons of space to run, and a fence around the entire thing, it’s both pretty and ticks all the boxes for me.

I have not been in the summer time yet, so the image above is from early spring. With the number of trees in this park, however, I imagine it will also be blessedly shady during the summer! Another point in its favor.

The only negative about this park is that it is located in a neighborhood so parking is not abundant. There are also no bathrooms.

Another thing to note: this fence is wood and on the shorter side. While I don’t think my toddler would be able to escape, a larger child could probably easily mount it if they really wanted to.

Check out Burch Avenue Park with Malcolm!

Holding Park Inclusive Playground – Wake Forest, NC

📍 133 W Owen Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Newly opened in 2024, this fully inclusive playground is an exciting addition to the Triangle! It’s huge with tons of options for play. As an inclusive playground, it is actually quite friendly to toddlers as well. There are many ramps, lower structures, and interactive elements.

Love the squishy rubber ground throughout and of course the fence completely enclosing the playground.

Parking is on the street or in a lot across the road. Bathrooms are in the adjacent building next to the pool (a short walk).

Take a look at this video about this great Wake Forest playground.

Eastgate Park – Raleigh, NC

📍 4200 Quail Hollow Dr, Raleigh, NC 27609

This is a nice, big playground. Fully fenced, has a playground for younger kids, swings, a sand box, and even some shade.

Definitely one we plan to visit again.

Park West Village Playground – Morrisville, NC

📍 Village Market Place, Morrisville, NC 27560

Need to get some shopping done? Combine a shopping trip with a visit to this mini playground! The Park West shopping center has a Target, Trader Joe’s, and many more stores, so you can run errands and then let your little one play at this full fenced mini playground.

While it might seem tiny, this playground is more than enough for little ones. My 2 year old loved it and played happily for a good half hour.

Parking is right there, but can be tough to snag.

Oakboro Park – Raleigh, NC

📍 1800 Oakboro Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614

This is a nice enclosed park in a quiet residential neighborhood. While fully fenced, there is zero shade, so keep that in mind.

The playground has a a good toddler structure that looks like a train, which is very cute. There are also a sandbox and swings, so this is definitely a good park for little ones.

My least favorite part of this playground is that the ground surface is all mulch.

Centennial Park – Garner, NC

📍 1015 New Bethel Church Rd, Garner, NC 27529

Garner’s Centennial Park has a small, fenced in playground with a mulch surface. The playground appears to be in direct sun, so probably better for cloudy days.

Oddly, the playground swings are actually located outside the fenced area.

Whippoorwill Park – Durham, NC

📍 1632 Rowemont Dr, Durham, NC 27705

This recently renovated playground has quickly become one of our favorites. Just look how colorful it is!

All the essential features are here, including a solid fence around the entire playground.

The playground was also designed to be inclusive and accessible, so there are ramps and other elements, as well as interactive boards that my son loved.

There’s also a covered picnic area here.

See this playground in action with our video!

Jack Marley Park – Angier, NC

📍 145 State Rd 1441, Angier, NC 27501

While perhaps slightly outside the Triangle proper, this is a lovely park that is worth the drive.

The playground is fully-fenced and overlooks a beautiful lake.

The play structures are nice, and there are also areas for shade and for seating.

There are baby swings as well for little ones.

You can park right near the playground, and there are also restrooms right next to the playground.

Method Community Park – Raleigh, NC

📍 514 Method Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

This is a smaller playground next to the community center. It is fully fenced, has squishy rubberized ground, and has baby swings, too.

Parking is easy, directly next to the playground.

Garner Recreational Park – Garner, NC

📍221 E Garner Rd, Garner, NC 27529

My 2 year old really enjoyed this fenced playground in Garner. As a mom, I love the squishy ground surface.

There’s not much shade happening here, but on the plus side, bathrooms are close and there’s tons of parking.

Map of Fenced Playgrounds around the Triangle