Smithfield and Selma have a number of community parks for the enjoyment of the public.

In Smithfield, the Town Commons, with a riverwalk along the Neuse River, is usually the location of concerts and festivals and other activities in town. Smithfield Community Park, located near Smithfield-Selma High School, provides fields and equipment for a dozen sports. The new Smithfield Recreation and Aquatic Center is currently under construction on the grounds.

Brack Wilson Recreation Park anchors six community parks in Selma.

The following is a list of Smithfield-Selma parks.

Smithfield

Smithfield Parks and Recreation Department
Tim Johnson, Director
600 Booker Dairy Rd.
Smithfield, N.C. 27577
Phone: 919-934-2148

Bob Wallace Jaycee Kiddie Park - (Second Street) Playground equipment, picnic area, Girl Scout hut. Broadwell Park - (Lee Street) Playground equipment.  

Burlington Park - (Hancock Street.) Youth baseball field, playground equipment, picnic area.  

Eva Ennis Municipal Pool - (Martin Luther King Dive) 3-9 ft. depth range, shower & dressing facilities, picnic area.  

Gertrude B. Johnson Park - (W. Market Street.) Youth soccer field, playground equipment, picnic shelter.  

Legion Hut - (S. Front Street) Classroom for leisure art program, home of Neuse Little Theatre.  

Talton Park - (North Street) Soccer field, picnic shelter, restrooms.  

Town Commons - (S. Front Street) Nature park along Neuse River with mile-long riverwalk, outdoor amphitheater, Boy Scout hut, boat ramp, picnic area.  

Smithfield Community Park - (Booker Dairy Road) Three softball fields, one baseball field, tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe courts, sand volleyball court, youth soccer fields, mile-long walking trail, tot lots, group shelter, concession/restroom building, picnic areas with grills.

Selma

Selma Parks and Recreation Department
Joe Carter, Director
305 N. Pollock Street
Selma, N.C. 27576
Phone: 919-975-1411

Brack Wilson Recreation Park - (1118 W. Oak Street) Athletic field, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, nature trails, picnic area, restrooms  

Edgebrook Park - (1100 Dixie Drive) Playground Area, Picnic Shelter, Lighted Tennis Courts.  

Jaycee Park - (304 N. Raiford Street) Playground equipment, picnic area.   Raiford Street Park - (808 S. Raiford Street.) Playground equipment, picnic area.  

Richard B. Harrison Gymnasium & Blackley Athletic Park - (601 W. Noble Street) Outdoor Basketball Court, Gymnasium, Little League Baseball Field (no lights).  

Sumner Street Park - (500 S. Sumner Street) Playground equipment.

Briarwood Park - (412 Reid Circle) Playground area, picnic shelter.

Howell Woods

The Rudolph Howell and Son Environmental Learning Center or “Howell Woods” is a 2,856 acre preserve located in southeastern Johnston County. The property is operated by Johnston Community College and managed as an outdoor classroom for the benefit of wildlife and low impact outdoor recreation.

Howell Woods is located between the Neuse River and two brownwater creeks, Hannah and Mill. It is blessed with a variety of plants, animals and habitats.

Facilities at the preserve include a classroom building with separate kitchen facilities, an exhibit hall, amphitheater, and campfire ring. There are over 30 miles of unpaved roads and trails located on the property. Small group horseback riding, mountain biking, long distance hiking, no-trace camping and fishing are available for a fee.

Johnston Community College offers a number of educational and entertaining activities for all ages throughout the year. Programs include: canoeing, backyard wildlife, songbird identification, backpacking and wildlife ecology.

Howell Woods is located near Bentonville on Devil’s Racetrack Road, about 8 miles from Interstate 95.

For more information:
Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center
6601 Devil’s Racetrack Road
Four Oaks, NC 27524
Phone: 919-938-0115

Clemmons Educational State Forest

At Clemmons Educational State Forest in Clayton, visitors can listen to the wind in the trees or they can listen to the trees tell a story.

"Talking trees and rocks," recorded messages along numerous trails, tell forest history and explain the geology and soil of the forest. Included are examples of actual forestry practices, highlighted by longleaf pine restoration areas.

The Forestry Exhibit Center features many interactive exhibits with large murals and many historical and cultural items. Ranger-conducted classes are available for groups of ten or more.

Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, and Investigating Your Environment are workshops available for teachers, natural resource professionals or other group leaders.

Clemmons Educational State Forest has picnic facilities and campgrounds.

For more information:
Clemmons Educational State Forest
2411 Old US 70 West
Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: 919-553-5651

Nearby State Parks

There are 35 state parks, preserves and recreation areas in North Carolina. Here is a list of those within a short drive of the Smithfield-Selma area.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
345-A Park Entrance Road
Seven Springs, NC 28578
Phone: 919-778-6234

Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill Road
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: 919-383-1686

Falls Lake Recreation Area
13304 Creedmoor Road
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Phone: 919-676-1027

Jordan Lake Recreation Area
280 State Park Road
Apex, NC 27502
Phone: 919-362-0586

Raven Rock State Park
3009 Raven Rock Road
Lillington, NC 27546
Phone: 910-893-4888

Waynesborough
804 US Hwy. 117 South
Goldsboro, NC 27530
Phone: 919-731-5680

William B. Umstead State Park
8801 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone: 919-571-4170