What’s old is new again. Bringing Olde Raleigh Village into its new era is a mod refresh—same attitude, new look.
Complete with a full center repaint, new landscaping, new murals, and an updated promenade and pocket park, the primely positioned iconic West Raleigh center bookending burgeoning Blue Ridge Corridor has also already begun activating its space with free community events—think puppy yoga (!) and an Easter photo booth—with plans for more of the same, not to mention alfresco coffee, lunch and the like.
“Olde Raleigh Village has been a longstanding fixture in our community,” says Blair Davenport, senior consumer marketing associate of Foundry Commercial. “As developments continue to emerge in the surrounding area, we’re enthusiastic about our contribution to the revitalization of the Blue Ridge Corridor.”
“With our team’s dedication, we’re excited to usher it into a new era,” adds Davenport. “While maintaining its timeless charm, we aim to elevate it into a destination rather than just a routine stop.” Reimagined refuge found. @olderaleighvillage
EN PLAIN AIR: ORV’s revamp includes a pocket park for activations like yoga and an overall aesthetic refresh to tenants like Char-Grill.
EN PLAIN AIR: ORV’s revamp includes a pocket park for activations like yoga and an overall aesthetic refresh to tenants like Char-Grill.
Life’s too short not to play. Activating Raleigh’s kiddos and kids at heart is the highly anticipated Conlon Family Skatepark and a “pocket park,” both of which opened just in the nick of time for summer. The former project—from the minds of Skate Raleigh—is temporarily located at Smoky Hollow Park, between Capital Boulevard and Peace Street, and features open spaces fit for all kinds of wheeled sports—from skateboarding and scootering to roller-skating and biking. Meanwhile, Raleigh’s largest urban park, Dix Park, unveiled “Raleigh’s smallest park” in June. A collab between Dix Park, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Artsplosure and local installation artist Katie Stewart, the mini respite is parked in front of artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz’s Dix Park mural on the corner of Hillsborough and West Street by Roast Grill and State of Beer. So if you’re looking for a pocketful of sunshine and/or shred seshes this summer, you know where to go.
Raleigh’s largest urban park presents Raleigh’s smallest park.
Need a mini respite from the Downtown hustle and bustle? Dix Park, Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Artsplosure—along with local installation artist, photographer and art director Katie Stewart—have teamed up to design a miniature park and art establishment Downtown debuting June 9 (!).
“Raleigh’s smallest park” will be, ahem, parked in front of the Dix Park mural on the corner of Hillsborough and West Street by Roast Grill and State of Beer. And, rest assured, its inaugural ribbon-cutting is intended to be as “campy” as possible, according to Dix Park Conservancy’s Community Engagement Manager Trey Roberts—think tiny scissors and shovels as part of the festivities, naturally.
The urban oasis’ focal point, a mural made by Gabriel Eng-Goetz in September 2022 depicting Dix Park, has been expanded on by Stewart with an engaging 3D art experience feat. sculpted mushroom seats, huge sunflower suncatchers and topiaries made with repurposed materials and nodding to the natural beauty and cultural significance of Dix Park (and adding a splash of color and pizzazz to the spot!). … Pro tip: It also makes for an excellent photo op! #DoItForTheGram
“This installation reimagines his themes and color schemes in a three-dimensional, interactive context,” says Stewart. “It welcomes visitors of all ages, cultivating engagement and imagination with art and fostering connections within the community while paying tribute to Dorothea Dix Park’s past, embracing its present energy and projecting its future as a creative communal hub.”
She adds: “This small park nestled in Downtown Raleigh is an illustration of art’s inclusive and transformative power. It presents a unique space for reflection, connection and inspiration to be enjoyed by all.” Sounds like a fresh spot to keep in your back pocket!
