Harris Lake County Park spotlighted as Wake Parks mark 50th
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026, with monthly spotlights on its 12 parks. May's feature is Harris Lake County Park, a 680‑acre park that opened in 1999 on a peninsula of the Shearon Harris Reservoir.
The park offers a range of activities, including 10.5 miles of mountain bike trails, more than 5 miles of hiking trails, and an 18‑hole disc golf course that will expand to 27 holes with the addition of a 9‑hole Junior Disc Golf Course as part of a bond improvement project. Partnerships with Triangle Off‑Road Cyclists, North Carolina Adapted Sports and the Capital Area Disc League have supported programming over the years.
Signature feature: a 60‑acre Longleaf Pine Restoration Area. The park hosts a public wagon ride program in the fall and offers a fishing pier with lake views.
Hidden gem: the Womble Interpretive History Trail mobile tour allows visitors to learn about one of the families that lived on the property before it became a park, including the remnants of the Womble family homesite and a restored wash house.
Photo op: the fishing pier or the lake shoreline at sunrise or sunset.
Best time to visit: fall and winter mornings at park opening for a sunrise over the lake, or spring evenings to hear the frog chorus and the call of a Chuck‑will's‑widow.
One‑word vibe: Vibrant. Insider tip: parking fills up quickly, so come early, and check trianglemtb.com for mountain bike trail status before you come.
Upcoming fun: a Longleaf Ramble event in September featuring information about the iconic Longleaf Pine and a guided wagon tour.
Harris Lake County Park is located at 2112 County Park Drive in New Hill.
#WakeParks50 and #TeamWake. Source: Wake County Government, Raleigh, North Carolina.
| May 15, 2026 at 9:34 AM | Gov |
Panther Creek DECA teams top international competition
Panther Creek High students excelled at the DECA International Career Development Conference, competing against more than 15,000 students worldwide and placing multiple teams in the top 20 nationally, including a top-10 finish, a second-place win in a challenge and a team taking first place overall.
| May 14, 2026 at 12:52 PM | School |
Wake County to Hold First Budget Hearing Monday
Wake County will hold the first of two budget public hearings Monday, May 11, in Raleigh from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh, to gather input on next year’s budget, with residents able to sign up an hour before and speak up to three minutes; the second hearing is Monday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at the Wake County Justice Center, and written comments may be submitted before noon on Wednesday, May 20, at wake.gov/budget.
| May 11, 2026 at 9:12 AM | Gov |
Wake County Offers Free Pre-K for 4-year-olds
Wake County Public Schools said eligible families with a child who will be 4 by Aug. 31 may qualify for free Wake Pre-K, with an in-person application event May 21, online applications available anytime, and a June 12 deadline for Title I preschool eligibility.
| May 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM | School |
Wake County Public Schools honors moms on Mother's Day
Wake County Public Schools in Apex, N.C., posted a Mother's Day message praising moms for being there from kindergarten through graduation.
| May 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM | School |
Wake County hosts virtual event on foster, adopted boys
Wake County Government in Raleigh, North Carolina, is hosting a free virtual Lunch & Learn session titled "Raising an adopted, foster or kinship young man?" led by Dr. Adam Anthony to explore the emotional realities faced by adopted and foster boys—especially boys of color—from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 12; registration is online and questions can be emailed to postadoption@wake.gov.
| May 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Gov |
Wake County Students Share Appreciation for Teachers
Wake County Public Schools invited students at Washington Magnet Elementary, Pine Hollow Middle and Willow Spring High in Apex, North Carolina, to share what they appreciate about their teachers, saying the students’ voices cap a week of gratitude and highlight teachers’ impact on their students.
| May 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM | School |
Kim Leon Helps Wake County Dogs Find Homes
Kim Leon has spent 11 years fostering Wake County dogs after starting as a volunteer walker, helping them decompress, heal and adjust before finding loving homes.
| Apr 24, 2026 at 8:37 PM | Gov |
Volunteer Spotlight Honors Kimberly Fields at Walnut Creek Elementary
Apex, N.C. — During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Wake County Public School System officials spotlight Kimberly Fields, a Walnut Creek Elementary parent volunteer who supports kindergarten classrooms, chaperones field trips and helps organize events while also serving on the School Improvement Team, with administrators praising her commitment and impact on students, staff and families.
| Apr 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM | School |
Wake County officials celebrate families serving as precinct officials
During Volunteer Month, the Wake County Board of Elections highlighted three-generation precinct officials, such as the Griffin family, whose members serve Wake County voters, noting nearly 400 families have relatives in precinct duties and inviting others to become precinct officials.
| Apr 24, 2026 at 5:16 PM | Gov |