FunKidsActivities

East End Park

1200 N Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27701, USA

Overview

Category:Indoor Water Parks
Location:Durham, NC

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

East End Park offers an uncrowded water pad/sprayground experience for children, making it a good option for casual water play without large crowds. It also provides a variety of outdoor sports facilities including tennis, basketball, and soccer courts for active families.

Key Highlights

  • Kids generally have an 'awesome time' on the water pad/sprayground.
  • The water pad/sprayground is described as clean and 'not too many kids no matter what time of day'.
  • Availability of multiple sports courts: tennis courts (described as 'nice' and 'great'), a hard court soccer field, and a basketball court.
  • A covered area with tables and seating is available for use.

Standout Features

  • Water pad/sprayground (for uncrowded water fun).
  • Tennis courts (often noted as a positive feature).
  • Hard court soccer field.
  • Basketball court (managed by the city).
  • Covered seating area with tables.

Perfect For

Younger children to pre-teens: Well-suited for the water pad/sprayground.
Older children/teens: Excellent for those interested in tennis, basketball, or soccer due to dedicated courts.

Ideal For

Families seeking a casual, uncrowded water play experience on a water pad/sprayground.
Children and teens interested in playing tennis, basketball, or soccer outdoors.
A quick, low-cost outing for families willing to overlook maintenance and restroom issues.
Families looking for a place with varied sports facilities.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Be prepared for very basic and potentially unsanitary restroom facilities (port-a-potty).
  • Exercise caution and actively supervise children due to reports of broken glass and 'people on drugs'.
  • Manage expectations regarding overall park cleanliness and maintenance.
  • Bring your own plastic cups if staying in a room, as they might not be provided.
  • Focus on the water pad/sprayground for children's enjoyment, as it's reported to be clean and uncrowded.

Things to Consider

  • Significant issues with cleanliness, including 'trash everywhere' and 'broken glass on paths'.
  • Restroom facilities are severely lacking; 'restrooms closed for renovation' and a 'port-a-potty has been placed for restroom use'.
  • Reported 'issue with people on drugs' in the area, raising safety concerns, though 'everybody keeps to themselves'.
  • Perceived as 'one of least maintained city parks'.
  • Rooms (if staying overnight) may lack standard complimentary items like plastic cups.
  • No maintained baseball field is available.

Price & Value

Likely a free or low-cost public/city park based on descriptions, offering basic amenities. Room stays may be basic and lack standard complimentary items, suggesting a budget-friendly but no-frills accommodation.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations mentioned.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not explicitly mentioned, but the presence of a 'covered area with tables and seating' suggests outside food/picnics might be permitted.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not explicitly mentioned, but 'a backboard for practice across the street' might imply street parking options.

👥Crowd Levels

  • The water pad/sprayground is 'not too many kids no matter what time of day'.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Water pad area was perceived as 'safe' by one reviewer.
  • Serious safety concerns raised by 'broken glass on paths' and 'issue with people on drugs'.
  • Lack of active supervision inferred by 'Everybody keeps to themselves' despite drug issue.

When to Avoid

  • If high cleanliness standards, modern restrooms, or comprehensive facility maintenance are a priority.
  • If sensitive to safety concerns related to the reported presence of individuals on drugs.
  • If expecting a traditional 'Indoor Water Park' experience with multiple slides, pools, etc.
  • If looking for well-maintained baseball facilities.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

🍎Food Policy

  • Food is allowed at the Picnic Shelter, which includes a grill and picnic tables.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Portions of the park have been prohibited to access due to high levels of lead and other contaminants in the soils.
  • For more information on soil contaminants, visit dprplaymore.org/516/Soil-Property-Testing.

📅Booking Policy

  • Picnic shelter rentals and athletic field/court rentals require visiting separate pages for complete details.
  • Requests for inclusion support for programs/activities must be received at least 21 days prior to the start date.

🚗Parking Information

  • Parking Lot available.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Art Than

Art Than

a year ago

Trash everywhere. Broken glass on paths. Restrooms closed for renovation. Sad sprayground but at least it worked. Tennis courts looked nice.

Corey Butler

Corey Butler

5 years ago

Room was okay but they didn't include a few of the complimentary items that are standard like plastic cups.

Jeff Franklin

Jeff Franklin

2 years ago

I like East End a lot but I could see why people might avoid it. The facilities are nice, great tennis courts and hard court soccer field, but there can be an issue with people on drugs there. Everybody keeps to themselves though

Ophelia Cates

Ophelia Cates

2 years ago

The kids had an awesome time on the water pad. Its perfect not to many kids no matter what time if day you decide to go. Its clean and we felt safe.

Omega O

Omega O

6 years ago

There is a basketball court that is managed by the city, but no maintained baseball field. There is also a tennis court there and a backboard for practice across the street. A port-a-potty has been placed for restroom use. It is one of least maintained city parks that I have visited. A covered area with tables and seating is there for usage as well.

Contact Information

1200 N Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27701, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.1
Total Reviews118
Recent Reviews5