Rock Ridge Park Grand Opening Pictures!

The Grand Opening of Rock Ridge Park was a great success!  While a bit chilly in in the morning, the weather warmed up in the afternoon and well over 200 people showed up--lots of happy smiling faces.  Kids explored the play fort and both kids and adults played on the 80 foot zipline and funky pendulum swing.  Lots of squealing happy kids on the rides; there were long lines for all pieces of play equipment.

Free cake was available, made by the Chatham Marketplace.

Plus, Captain Pancho's Taco Van, Little Dippers Italian Ices and the Shot of 'Spro mobile espresso van kept people well fed and caffeinated.

photo courtesy of Isabel Guzman

Formalities were kept to a minimum with a cool bulb planting ceremony rather than a traditional ribbon cutting.  The bulbs will continue to grow long after the ceremony, providing beautiful Daffodils for years to come.  Mayor Randy Voller, Don Lein, chair of the Chatham Parks Foundation and Megan Bolejack, chair of the Pittsboro Parks and Recreation Advisory Board all said a few brief words.

Great music was provided by Max and Ann Drake as well as several performers sent by the NC Songwriters Cooperative.  

members of the band Dackel

One of the most popular activities was the free horse rides provided by Bridlewood Farms. Lots of excited and proud kids riding high!  

photo courtesy of Isabel Guzman

Genevieve Megginson's Chatham Partnership for Children staff provided great activities for the youngest visitors.  This worked out really well because the playground is oriented more for older kids (from 5-12 years of age).  

A State Park Ranger, The Grand Trees of Chatham, Irwin Learning Farm, and the Pittsboro Skatepark crew helped round out the festivities.  

Judging by the opening day comments and from exclamations of folks upon seeing the playground, I'd  say that the new park is going to be well loved.  It captures the unique gestalt that makes Pittsboro parks, well . . . Pittsboro Parks.  

UPDATED DIRECTIONS

If you missed the grand opening and didn't find the embedded Goolgle Map tool to be precise enough, I'll provide simpler directions:

From Pittsboro, head south on US 15-501 about 3 miles until you get to Charlie Brooks Rd. Take a right on Charlie Brooks Road and follow it until it dead ends onto Old Sanford Road. Take another right on Old Sanford Rd and go a few hundred feet past a nice brick ranch home.  You'll see a long driveway with a stout metal gate on your right.  That's the park. 

Temporary signs were up for the opening, but the permanent sign has not yet been placed at the road as the park was only recently named.