Dorothea Dix Park, Part I: Gipson Play Plaza

In 1856, North Carolina’s first state hospital for the mentally ill opened in Raleigh, the state capital. The individual most responsible for advocating for the hospital’s construction was Dorothea Dix, a journalist, columnist and fierce national advocate for women’s suffrage in the United States.

Today, many buildings still stand on the 308 acres of land where the hospital once operated, but today, the property serves as a park for the city of Raleigh.

In recent years, the city composed and launched a long-term comprehensive plan to make better use of the property, and today, in some portions of the park, some of the plan’s objectives have come to fruition. In other areas of the park, constructions crews, warning signage for motorists and construction tape sprinkle the landscape near buildings that are being “upfitted,” or renovated for contemporary purposes. The future is not as bright for buildings on the far northwest corner of the property. All of those are targeted for removal as part of the long-term plan. 

One of the crowning jewels accomplished so far is the Gipson Play Plaza, 18.5 acres of land dedicated to modern play facilities for children. But the area also is professionally landscaped to make adults appreciate the time spent with their children or to allow photographers like me to indulge their craft.

I spent several hours in the park Tuesday roaming the expansive acreage, including the play plaza but also much of the central park area, making more than 250 total pictures. In its southeast corner, the park abuts the popular State Farmers Market property. As one traverses the Dix Park so-called “big field,” he or she can see in the distance the bright orange roofing of the last row of farmers market vendor stations. 

I did manage to reach the big field, which has been used for outdoor concerts and festivals (there was no activity going on when I was there). But I did not reach the cemetery or the popular area where sunflowers grow annually in season (it’s not their season ... yet ... so it’s not like I missed a great photo opportunity. If it had been in season for them, I’d have made a point to get to it, I assure you!). 

Today’s post is devoted to the Gipson Play Plaza, named for philanthropists Tom and Pat Gipson, a Raleigh couple who donated $10 million for use in the first phase of the plaza’s development. Tom Gipson is founder and CEO of Thomas Gipson Homes and a member of Habitat for Humanity. 

The lead-off photo shows probably the most conspicuous piece of playground equipment there. But this post will be as much about (if not more) landscaping at the plaza as it will be about playground infrastructure.  

I’ll come back with a second post to feature the buildings I came across in the park, and then do a third post on the park proper ... at least as much as I was able to reach on 300+ acres before tiring.

To view a full gallery of images of the Gipson Play Plaza, click on the link in this sentence.  

The circular area in the photo above is sort of the plaza centerpiece. A colored-stone stairway (foreground) leads to the circular area.

 

There is a lot of structural landscape using colorered stone, as shown in the photo above and the first five photos below. 

Above: the park has some installment art like the one above. Meadow of the Deer, by Mark Reigelman II.  There is a third deer that is part of the sculpture (below). 

A pond (above) with a closeup (below) of the heron figuring. 

Above and below: There are a lot of tables with umbrellas ... for picnicking or simply to get out of the sun and sip on a cold drink on those hots days.

Above: I don't believe I ever saw grills clustered in threes before ... but if you use one of them, at least you know what you should do before leaving (below). 

On the north fringe of the plaza, this concrete walkway leads to a path alongside a building called The House With Multiple Porches, where people can seek out refreshments (coffee, soft drinks, beer and wine) and light edible fare such as sandwiches, snacks and selections in vending machines. Indeed, I approached the house from several sides, and saw a porch on every one.

Ordinarily, I strive to avoid including children in my photos unless I have a parent's permission. But this shot moved me so much, I decided to grab it and use in a post. The child was making the most of an area that appeared to be set aside for quiet and meditation. 

I'll end with one last look at yet another slab of stone in these gorgeous colors.