Sandy Creek Park

Sandy Creek Park is a 102-acre natural area located in southwest Durham, North Carolina. The park sits on the site of a former sewage treatment plant that was decommissioned in the 1960s. In the 1990s, the City of Durham converted the land into a public park and nature preserve.

The park features a mix of habitats including pine uplands, wetlands, and a clear flowing creek. A half-mile paved trail winds through the park, which will eventually connect to a longer regional trail system. There are also over a mile of unpaved nature trails for visitors to explore.

Sandy Creek Park is known as a popular spot for birdwatching and has been designated as a North Carolina "birding hot spot." The diverse habitats attract a variety of bird species throughout the year. The park's wetland areas were restored as part of an environmental mitigation project.

In recent years, volunteer groups and grant funding have helped add amenities and make improvements to Sandy Creek Park. These include building an observation deck overlooking one of the park's ponds, installing benches along trails, and creating a butterfly garden. The park aims to provide outdoor recreation opportunities while preserving the natural environment.