Wake County commissioners aren't playing around after confirming construction contracts for renovations at Harris Lake + Blue Jay Point County Parks.

Funded through the 2018 Parks, Greenways, Recreation, and Open Space bond — let's take a look at the master plans.

Harris Lake County Park

Improvements at New Hill's 680-acre park will be guided by a master plan adopted in 2017 + has a total price tag of $5.2 million. When complete, the site will have:

A nine-hole disc golf course with accessible tee pad
Covered canoe storage + a fishing platform with pond access
An accessible kayak launch area to support small non-motorized boats
Amenities like new restrooms, a picnic shelter + increased parking with food truck spaces
Art activation installed by artist Virginia Kistler

The park office will also get an upgrade including classroom space dedicated for educational programs.

Blue Jay Point County Park

In a $7.3 million project, plans focus on making this Oak City park more modern + enhancing accessibility and the overall experience. Get ready for:

A new shelter, shade sail structures + expansions at the nature playground
30 more parking spaces with a designated drop-off area by the picnic area
Expansions at Park Center + a new Educational Pond (with accessible areas, connecting walkways, and garden enhancements)
More connections throughout the park + improvements on existing trails
Art installations created by ecological sculptor Colin Selig

There will also be more parking in the overflow lot for Go Ape Zipline Park.

For both parks, construction is slated to begin this fall + be completed by fall of 2026.