Williams Day Camp & Recreation Park
- Josie
- Mar 18
- 5 min read
My favorite shaded park in Wilson, Williams Day Camp Park is guaranteed fun for the whole family.
Location: 515 Mount Vernon Drive NW Wilson, NC 27893
Price: Free
Ages: 2-10 for playground
Recommend: YES!
Safety: Solo mom approved. (usually someone smoking weed at Recreation Park)
Must-knows: sandy playground, no public bathrooms, easy parking, no baby swings, paved trail for stroller, partially shaded, closed during certain times in summer.
Nestled in the quaint neighborhood of Cavalier Terrace, you'll have a slow, scenic drive past the loveliest of houses with beautiful tree filled yards and lovely flowering gardens. On your drive you'll probably see the neighbors walking the neighborhood and waving at you from their yards (as I did!). The speed limit is 25mph so you sure have time to see what I'm talking about.
You'll pull into the small paved parking lot, which is conveniently located next to the playground and the paved walking path. So no lugging kids a million miles to get where you want to go here! The park is fairly large and is completely filled with trees. Tucked into the trees is a 9 hole disc golf course, which is actually pretty fun to play. You'll also see a small swing set and kid sized basketball court. Not to mention, a covered picnic shelter with grill site accommodation and trashcans.
The park has a nice sandy playground that is designed for kids aged 5-12. Note, my toddlers (2 years and 4 years) had no problem navigating the structure, and had a blast going down the tall swirly slide. I like how there is a bench (albeit worn) that you can sit in next to the playground to watch the kids play. The trees provide partial shade on the playground, which down here in the south is a major win for all the hot humid days.
You'll also notice a little clubhouse next to the parking lot. This serves for the Wilson Parks and Recreation summer day camp program. Hence where the name "Williams Day Camp" park originates. The park will be closed for certain times in the summer while the day camp is in session. I feel like the partial summer closure time, confusing name of the park, and the tucked into the neighborhood aspect is what makes this park "undiscovered" even amongst the most seasoned Wilson natives. Add in the fact that the more popular Rotary Park is literally only a minute drive away, you'll have a quiet park day on your hands here.
My favorite feature of this park is the paved walking greenway trail. I think the official name is the Hominy Swamp Greenway Trail (which does not sound inviting at all lol). Its a mile long tree lined trail that will have you crossing the cutest little wooden footbridge over the creek, think Winnie the Pooh vibes. The trail is pedestrian only and will have you crossing only one neighborhood road. You would think this road would be quiet, but every time I've been on this trail there is always 1-2 cars on it. However, the local traffic is aware of the trail and its easy and safe to cross this road. Stop signs are on either side of the road for the trail road crossing part.
In terms of the trail itself, trashcans, dog cleanup stations, and benches are scattered throughout keeping it clean, as well as turnouts for the connecting neighborhood. The trail is also partially shaded depending on time of day. (Sweet glorious shade). Its my favorite quiet and in-nature trail in Wilson. You'll see single women and eldery dogwalkers on it every now and then so not completely isolated. Fun fact: when the paved trail was built the local high school track team ran the trail for the inaugural grand opening.
My favorite part is how this connects all the way to Recreation Park and the Recreation Park Community Center (note the difference in name!). Recreation Park also has a partially shaded, sandy playground designed for ages 5-12. No benches near the playground for tired mama to sit and rest though. Also, no swings here which depending on your kid is either a win or a loss.
Recreation Park does have a cute little free library, which has some good selection of books for kids and adults every time I checked. Marked street parking is available next to the playground as well. It boasts two picnic shelters with grill accommodation and trashcans.
Honestly, I don't really like Recreation Park too much, other than the fact that it provides motivation for my kids to complete the trail for the reward of a "new playground" at the end. The picnic shelter closest to the main road usually always boasts a solitary man smoking weed. Harmless in my experience, though these lonely weed smokers are, I really don't like when someone so flagrantly breaks the law without abandon in a family friendly setting such as a park. It doesn't necessarily stop me from using the park, but I just usually treat it as a pass-through than a final destination like Williams Day Camp Park. Like I'd never call my friends up and be like "lets go to Recreation Park". It would be "Lets park at Recreation Park and take the trail to Williams Day Camp Park". You know?
You can continue the trail across a concrete foot bridge to bring you to the Recreation Park Community Center (which has its own parking). Once you cross the bridge, the trails turns to large gravel, which can make stroller pushing super difficult but not impossible. However, you will only have a short distance to go if you wanted to get to the pool or Rec Center via foot.
Something I like to do is go to the Toddler Tumble Time on Tuesdays at 10 AM at the Rec Center, and then afterwards go on a walk and picnic to Williams Day Camp. I've spent many morning with my friends doing just that.
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