Sports & Recreation

Sports in Orange County revolve mostly around the Tar Heel basketball, football and other teams for obvious reasons, but outdoor activities are very big here, too, because the county and towns have a long-standing commitment to the preservation, development and promotion of parkland—25% of the county's nearly 400 square miles is undeveloped—including nature preserves, parks and playgrounds, walking trails and bicycle routes and paths, not to mention state parks and lakes and reservoirs. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for personal athletic activities, e.g. biking, fitness, golf, swimming and even ice-skating year-round.

A.D. Clark Pool

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216 North Roberson St (Hargraves Community Park),
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 968-2784; recorded info (919) 968-2794

Call for hours.

Outdoor pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The 25-meter pool offers zero-depth entry and 4 lap lanes. Locker rooms, showers and family changing area are available. Free and open to the public. Call for specific details on programs provided by the Town of Chapel Hill’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Ayr Mount and Poet’s Walk

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376 St. Mary's Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-6886

Open for guided tours (Mar. 21 to Dec. 20) Wed.-Sat., 11am; Thu.-Sun., 2pm; other times by appointment.


One of North Carolina’s finest Federal-era plantation homes (c. 1815), built by William Kirkland of Ayr, Scotland. Carefully restored and exquisitely furnished with period antiques (Duncan Phyfe and Charles Honore Lannuier), portraits by Ezra Ames and James Wollaston, Chinese export porcelain, Waterford crystal and many original family pieces. Occupied by four generations of the family until 1985. Owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. A National Trust Partner Place. $10 per person. Group rates available. Free parking.

• Poet’s Walk: Open daily (year-round), 9am-5pm (till 6pm, Mar, Apr, Sep & Oct; till 7pm, May & Aug; till 8pm Jun & Jul). One-mile walking trail meanders through woodlands and pastures along the banks of the Eno River, with views of the Kirkland family cemetery, the old tavern foundation and the Indian trading path. Picnic tables under hardwood and pine trees. Dogs allowed, but must be on leashes. Trail is free and open daily year round.

Balanced Movement Studio

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304 Weaver St., Stuite 103
Carrboro, NC 27510

Directions

phone (919) 942-0240

Bicycle Chain (The)

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210 West Franklin St (Downtown)
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

toll-free (800) 337-8286; phone (919) 929-0213

Open Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm; Sun, noon-5pm.

Blue Urban Bikes

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431 West Franklin St (Downtown)
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 960-6886

Members may rent bikes for up to 24 hours from several downtown locations. $10 per year.

Caddy Shack Golf-Training Facility

6911 Mount Herman Church Rd
East of Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 383-0695

Daily, 10am-6pm (summer, till 8pm).

Offers dual-elevation tee stations (with ground-level mats sheltered for use during rainy conditions), large grass tee area, three chipping areas, large putting green, and sand bunker, plus well marked yardages and targets. Jim Schwab, master teaching professional, offers private lessons for adults and juniors. Also available are lesson packages, group lessons and clinics.on packages

Cane Creek Reservoir

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Located 10 miles west of Carrboro on NC Highway 54
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 942-5790

Open Saturdays only, 6:30am-6pm from March 27 - November 13 during 2010 season.


This reservoir will reopen for boating, fishing and other recreation beginning on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Cane Creek Reservoir will also be open for recreation on Memorial Day, Monday May 31 and Labor Day, Monday September 6.  The reservoir was built in 1989 to complement University Lake. Free picnic and sunbathing areas. Rowboats, canoes and motors are available for rent. Fees charged for lake use, boat rentals and related activities. Parking.

Captain John S. Pope Farm

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6909 Efland-Cedar Grove Road
Cedar Grove, NC 27231

Directions

(919) 621-1150

Captain John S. Pope Farm is located in the rolling hills of Orange County, NC about 20 miles north of Chapel Hill.Farm raises free range lambs.  You can visit the farm and purchases delicious healthy meat and enjoy the country atmosphere. Also participates or hosts numerous community events including Lamb Day. Piedmont Farm Tour

Carolina Fitness

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503-C West Main St
Carrboro, NC 27510

Directions

phone (919) 960-9910

Carrboro Parks

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100 North Greensboro St (Carrboro Century Center)
Carrboro, NC 27510

Directions

phone (919) 918-7364

Parks office hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm. Center's office hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and during scheduled events. Both closed major holidays.

Parks are open daily, 7am to dark (lighted areas till 11pm). Athletic fields, meeting rooms, kitchen and pavilions are available for reservations, and a variety of programs and events are scheduled for all ages. The Cybrary in the Carrboro Century Center has five computer stations, books and periodicals.

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Did You Know?

Orange County offers a wide range of spectator and recreational sports and leisure activities, and is home to the fastest 3/8-mile oval stock car race track in the U.S.