Recreation

North Carolina is called "Variety Vacationland." For golfing, Moore County is considered "The Golfing Capital of the World" with more than 41 golf courses. It is home to Pinehurst Resorts, which recently hosted the 1999 U.S. Open and has already received the honor of hosting the 2005 U.S. Open. In addition, the 2001 U.S. Women's Open will be conducted at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines. And there are more than 30 signature golf courses on North Carolina's coast. For ten days each October, the North Carolina State Fair is held in Raleigh. The North Carolina Zoological Park at Asheboro, one hour from the Research Triangle Region, is the world's first planned, completely natural habitat zoo with all animals separated from the public by natural barriers. The Research Triangle Region has extensive lakes for swimming, fishing and boating. Kerr Lake in Vance, Granville and Warren Counties is a 50,000-acre recreational and water supply lake. Lake Gaston, which is accessible through Warren County, is a 20,000 acre lake that is also used for recreation and water supply. Falls Lake is a 12,490 acre recreational and water supply lake. Jordan Lake is a 14,310 acre recreational and water supply lake. Smaller lakes offering recreational activities include Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir in Durham County, Cane Creek Reservoir and University Lake in Orange County, Mayo Lake and Hyco Lake in Person County, and Lakes Crabtree, Wheeler, and Benson in Wake County. There are also ample rivers in the region, including Cape Fear River, Haw River, Deep River, Eno River, Tar River, Falls of the Neuse, and New Hope Creek and the Roanoke River, which offer people opportunities to canoe, kayak and fish. The metro area is blessed with several large natural areas, even in the heart of its major metropolitan areas. Umstead State Park is 5,300 acres of woodland between Raleigh and Durham. Eno River State Park covers 2,300 acres in Durham and Orange Counties. Raven Rock State Park offers 3,058 acres of park land and is famous for its striking rock formation. Kerr Lake has 22 wildlife management areas developed, consisting of over 10,000 acres of land, for intensive wildlife management techniques. Seven state parks are located along the North Carolina shores of Kerr Lake. The 8,300-acre Duke Forest is a privately owned research forest in Durham and Orange Counties that also provides recreational opportunities. Weymouth Woods in Moore County is a 778-acre natural area. There is also an extensive gameland in Moore County called the Sandhills Gameland. In addition to park systems, many communities are developing extensive greenway and trail systems. The six-county non-profit Triangle Land Conservancy has worked to preserve several regionally significant natural areas. Nice Amenities: The North Carolina coastline, 300 miles long, enjoys mild temperatures from March to October. With the convenience of Interstate 40, the beach is a two-to-three hour drive from the Research Triangle Region. The North Carolina mountains can be reached within three to four hours with: Over 250 miles of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, providing a unique mountaintop drive with spectacular views. Over 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the wilderness route from Maine to Georgia. Nine ski resorts and fifteen popular white-water rivers. Park Acreage in the Research Triangle Region   State Recreational Acreage Local Recreation Acreage Chatham 43,751 30 Durham 23,955 2,497 Franklin 250 60 Granville 13,554 25 Harnett 3,064 188 Johnston 221 151 Lee 2,421 500 Moore 4,150 313 Orange 2,284 566 Person 8,003 185 Vance 3,536 164 Wake 30,541 7,539 Warren 315 20 RT Region 136,045 11,847 Many Research Triangle communities have active recreation programs sponsored by city parks departments, YMCAs and independent groups. The Research Triangle Region also has many other public and private swimming pools, golf courses, tennis clubs and country clubs.