Visit Laurel Hills: Gym, Inclusive Playground, Programs & Rentals
Laurel Hills Community Center is a City of Raleigh recreation facility inside the 48.2-acre Laurel Hills Park at 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27612. Visitors use it for basketball, classes, youth activities, community events and room rentals, while the surrounding park adds an inclusive playground, picnic shelter, pond overlook, outdoor courts and athletic fields.
Information reviewed October 30, 2026. Regular building hours do not guarantee that a gym court, class, rental room or open-play session is available at that exact time.
Laurel Hills Community Center Hours
| Monday–Friday | 10:00 AM–9:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM–6:00 PM |
| Programs and open play | Use RecLink or the City’s open-play pages; activity schedules can be narrower than building hours. |
| Rentals | Available by approved reservation. Access outside normal building hours can involve staffing charges. |
What Is Available at Laurel Hills?
One large gym with two full-size basketball courts. The City lists capacity at 300 people per court and says the courts can be used individually or together.
A rentable room for meetings and gatherings with a listed capacity of 125 people.
A smaller activity and rental space with a listed capacity of 30.
Available as a rental add-on. Raleigh describes community-center warming kitchens as intended for warming food, not full meal preparation.
An inclusive playground with a wheelchair-accessible play structure, play areas for younger and older children, tot swings and resilient surfacing.
Two outdoor basketball courts, two youth baseball fields, a 150-by-150-foot multipurpose field, picnic shelter and a small pond with an overlook.
If you want another Raleigh facility that combines a community center with a large outdoor park, lake and walking route, compare the Lake Lynn Park Community Center visitor guide.
Sassafras All Children’s Playground
Sassafras is one of the strongest reasons for a family visit. Raleigh describes it as an inclusive playground designed so children of different abilities can play together and specifically lists a wheelchair-accessible play structure.
| Age areas | Raleigh’s playground directory lists play opportunities for ages 2–5 and 5–12. |
|---|---|
| Swings | Tot swings are listed. |
| Surfaces | Rubberized safety surface and sand are listed. |
| Restroom | The playground directory identifies the restroom as inside the community center, so restroom access depends on center hours and maintenance status. |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair-accessible play structure. For a specific mobility, sensory or program accommodation, call the facility before traveling. |
Pond, Shelter, Courts & Athletic Fields
The park has a small pond with an overlook and an instructional area with benches. Fishing is not allowed. This matters because a pond on a park map can otherwise look like a fishing destination.
| Outdoor facility | Current City detail |
|---|---|
| Picnic shelter | Capacity 75; 10 tables; 2 charcoal grills; restrooms nearby; no electricity; $20/hour. |
| Outdoor basketball court #1 | $40/hour; contact the community center for reservation. |
| Outdoor basketball court #2 | $40/hour; contact the community center for reservation. |
| Youth baseball field #1 | 300 feet to the fence. Field rentals are handled through Raleigh Athletics / RecLink. |
| Youth baseball field #2 | 300 feet to the fence. |
| Multipurpose field | 150 × 150 feet, next to baseball field #2. Raleigh’s current general field rate for multipurpose fields is $45/hour, subject to availability and facility-specific approval. |
Basketball, Pickleball & Open Play
Laurel Hills participates in Raleigh’s open-play sports system, but open-play times are not the same as the center’s regular hours. The City publishes separate activity listings and can change court access for elections, programs, leagues, rentals or special events.
Current RecLink listings also show adult basketball and later-season pickleball sessions at Laurel Hills, but individual entries can display “unavailable” for registration or use a separate drop-in process. Treat RecLink as the current schedule source and call 919-996-2383 when a court session is the only reason for your visit.
For a same-city comparison with two gymnasiums, a fitness room and separate open-play guidance, see the Barwell Road Community Center guide.
Late-2026 Classes & Youth Programs
Raleigh says Laurel Hills offers music, dance, fitness and sports programs for all ages. During the 2026–27 Sertoma Arts Center renovation, selected arts programs have also been relocated to Laurel Hills.
| Current example | Published 2026 details |
|---|---|
| Mini Monets | Ages 1.5–2.5; Tuesdays Nov. 10–Dec. 15; 11–11:45 AM; $66 resident / $81 nonresident. Parent or caregiver attends with the child. |
| Imagination Station | Ages 5–12; Tuesdays Nov. 3–Dec. 8; 4:15–5:45 PM; $101 resident / $116 nonresident. |
| Sketchbook Drawing for Teens | Ages 12–16; Tuesdays Nov. 3–Dec. 8; 6–7:45 PM; $106 resident / $121 nonresident. |
| YES Days | Selected school-out days for ages 5–12.99; published program hours are 7 AM–6 PM with $40 resident / $55 nonresident pricing for listed sessions. Availability can fill. |
If you are mainly looking for older-adult programming rather than family recreation, the senior community center programs guide explains what to check for age eligibility, activities, transportation and registration.
Upcoming Community Event: November 17, 2026
The City of Raleigh has scheduled a Historic Preservation Plan Community Engagement Event at Laurel Hills Community Center on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 7–8:30 PM. It is an open-house style event with a brief presentation at 7:15 PM, and RSVPs are not required.
If childcare or language/accessibility accommodation would help you attend, the City asks attendees to email the project contact by November 11. The event page is the best place to confirm any change before attending.
Current Laurel Hills Rental Rates
The current City facility page, updated October 19, 2026, should take priority over older rental PDFs when the numbers differ.
| Space | Current published rate / capacity |
|---|---|
| Gymnasium | Two full-size courts; capacity 300 per court. City page currently displays Court 1 at $85/hour and Court 2 at $170/hour. Because the courts may be used together or individually, confirm the exact court configuration and quote before paying. |
| Large meeting room | $75/hour; capacity 125. |
| Dance studio | $40/hour; capacity 30. |
| Warming kitchen | $25/hour. |
| Picnic shelter | $20/hour; capacity 75; 10 tables; 2 charcoal grills; no electricity. |
| Outdoor basketball court | $40/hour per listed court. |
Extra Charges and Rules to Budget For
- Raleigh community-center spaces have a two-hour minimum.
- A 25% surcharge applies to the base hourly rental rate for nonresidents.
- The City’s general rental schedule lists a $15 application fee for indoor spaces, amphitheaters and fields.
- An administrative deposit may be $100 or $250 depending on the facility and event; confirm the Laurel Hills amount with staff.
- Outside-hours or additional staffing is listed at $30 per staff member per hour.
- Events that run beyond the approved time can be charged at twice the rental rate for the extended period.
- Setup and breakdown must fit inside the time you reserve.
- A warming kitchen is for warming food rather than full meal preparation.
How to Reserve a Room, Gym or Shelter
- Choose the space. Match your guest count and activity with the gym, meeting room, dance studio, shelter, court or field.
- Include setup and cleanup. Raleigh requires the reserved period to cover both; overages can become expensive.
- Check resident status and extra requirements. Ask about the 25% nonresident surcharge, deposit, staffing, permits, insurance, catering or other event-specific charges.
- Submit the request through RecLink or the facility. An online request is not an approved reservation by itself.
- Wait for staff approval and payment instructions. The City says a reservation is not final until payment confirmation is received.
- Keep the confirmation. Bring or save the approved date, room, hours and payment record.
If you are new to city recreation facilities, this community recreation center planning guide helps distinguish building hours, program schedules, rental approval and activity-specific fees.
How to Register for a Laurel Hills Program
Confirm the address, regular hours and any temporary notice before choosing an activity.
Search Laurel Hills Community Center as the location rather than relying on an old PDF or third-party timetable.
Check age, date, time, resident/nonresident fee, availability and whether a caregiver must attend.
Use your Raleigh recreation account to enroll or join a waitlist when registration is required.
Keep the confirmation and check for weather, election, maintenance or schedule changes before travel.
Directions, Parking & Accessibility Planning
Use 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27612 for navigation. The City’s current Laurel Hills page provides driving directions but does not publish a verified parking-space count. If you are attending a large event, unloading rental supplies, or need a specific accessible arrival route, call 919-996-2383 before leaving.
The clearest accessibility detail published for the park is at Sassafras All Children’s Playground, where the City identifies a wheelchair-accessible play structure. For accessibility inside a rental room, the gym, restrooms or a particular class setup, ask staff about the exact route and accommodation you need.
Before You Go: Quick Checklist
- Use 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27612.
- Call 919-996-2383 if your visit depends on one court, class or room.
- Remember the center opens at 10 AM on weekdays.
- Check RecLink for the exact program, not only building hours.
- For pickleball, follow the current City pickleball notice; no Laurel Hills play is listed through Nov. 5, 2026 because of early voting.
- Do not plan to fish in the park pond.
- If renting, include setup and cleanup time and wait for payment confirmation before treating the booking as final.
- If restroom access matters during a playground trip, remember the playground directory lists the restroom inside the community center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Laurel Hills Community Center in Raleigh?
Laurel Hills Community Center is inside Laurel Hills Park at 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27612. The current City of Raleigh phone number is 919-996-2383.
What are Laurel Hills Community Center hours?
The City of Raleigh lists regular center hours as Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday, election, maintenance, program and special-event changes can affect individual activities.
Does Laurel Hills Community Center have a basketball gym?
Yes. The center has one large gymnasium divided into two full-size courts. The City lists a capacity of 300 per court and says the courts can be used together or individually. Open-play schedules are separate from regular building hours.
Is pickleball available at Laurel Hills Community Center right now?
As of October 30, 2026, Raleigh Parks says there is no pickleball at Laurel Hills from October 10 through November 5 because of early voting. Check the current Raleigh pickleball page or RecLink before traveling after that date because schedules can change.
What is Sassafras All Children’s Playground?
Sassafras All Children’s Playground is the inclusive playground at Laurel Hills Park. The City describes it as designed so children of different abilities can play together and lists a wheelchair-accessible play structure. Raleigh’s playground directory also lists play areas for ages 2–5 and 5–12, tot swings, rubberized safety surfacing and sand.
Can I rent a room or gym at Laurel Hills Community Center?
Yes. Current City listings include the gymnasium, a large meeting room, dance studio and warming kitchen, plus outdoor basketball courts and a picnic shelter. Rental requests require staff approval and are not final until payment confirmation is received.
How much does it cost to rent the large meeting room?
The current City page lists the large meeting room at $75 per hour with a capacity of 125. Raleigh community-center rentals generally have a two-hour minimum, and additional fees or a 25% nonresident surcharge may apply.
How do I register for Laurel Hills programs?
Use Raleigh’s RecLink system. Search Laurel Hills Community Center as the location, open the activity, check age, dates, resident or nonresident fee and availability, then sign in and complete registration. Save the confirmation for your visit.
Does Laurel Hills Park allow fishing in the pond?
No. The City lists a small pond and overlook at Laurel Hills Park but specifically says fishing is not allowed.
Are there programs for children and teens?
Yes. Raleigh lists music, dance, fitness and sports programming for all ages. Late-2026 offerings have also included relocated Sertoma Arts Center youth and teen art classes and selected Youth Escape School days. Availability, age limits and fees are activity-specific, so check RecLink.
Official Sources for Final Action
Hours, amenities and current rental prices: use the City of Raleigh Laurel Hills Park page.
Classes and registration: search RecLink for Laurel Hills Community Center and open the exact activity.
Open play: verify the current Raleigh open-play schedules and the pickleball notice.
Rental policies and possible extra fees: review Raleigh Parks Rentals and Venues, then obtain final approval and pricing from Laurel Hills staff.