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    Home Outer Banks Activities Dowdy Park In Nags Head

    Dowdy Park In Nags Head

    By Kip Tabb
    June 23, 2017

    Some time ago, if you were traveling along the bypass in Nags Head, you would have passed Dowdy’s Amusement Park. It was a small family-run park that included a ferris wheel, bumper cars, a wooden roller coaster, and arcade, the perfect place to take the kids for an hour or two in the evening. Over time, as some of the rides aged, maintenance became a problem and by the time it closed in 2005, the park had lost a bit of its luster.

    The Town of Nags Head purchased the property in 2014 and there was a considerable debate about what to do with property.  It was finally decided that Dowdy’s Amusement Park was going to be Dowdy Park, a multi-use playground, fitness, entertainment and picnic area, as well as a gathering place for musicians. And so it was settled that Dowdy Park in Nags Head would be created to be enjoyed by locals and visitors for years upon years.

    The grand opening of Dowdy Park in Nags Head was held in May 2017. Upon its unveiling, it’s possible that the end result exceeded expectations.

    The Dowdy Park playground area is innovative with some very interesting things for kids to do and enjoy.

    There’s a roller slide—similar to a playground slide, but replacing what is usually metal or plastic are rollers, so kids slide across the rollers to the ground. There are more conventional slides, jungle gyms, and swings as well.

    But Dowdy Park is much more than just a playground, and this may be what really sets it apart. The Nags Head site occupies five acres, which allowed the park designers to get creative.

    There is a multi-use fitness path that winds its way through the park grounds. The path divides the children’s playground from the grassy common areas in the middle of the park.

    Those common areas are large enough to allow kids—or adults— to play catch, frisbee, kick a soccer ball around or enjoy any number of activities.

    On the east end of Dowdy Park, there is a performance stage, which hosts live music and events.

    Along the perimeter of the park, there are pavilions with picnic tables supplied with grills, as well as additional tables outside the covered area.

    These tables offer an innovative concept – they are embedded chess or checker boards offering Nags Head locals and visitors a chance to sit, relax and enjoy a game. It reminds me of NYC, where it seems almost every park has a chess game in progress. (We’ll keep our eye on this to see if an Outer Banks Chess Champion is taking shape.)

    A multi-use court for basketball and handball is available for use as well as a bocce ball lawn and a pickleball court.

    Dowdy Park in Nags Head is certainly an Outer Banks destination for those wanting to play a game, toss a ball, enjoy a picnic, and spend time with the family.

    A number of grants helped Nags Head keep costs in line while fashioning a truly unique space. Trillium Health Resources was particularly generous with a $750,000 grant; a $250,000 grant from the Dare County Tourism Board was also instrumental in bringing the park to life, as well as funding from the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

    Dowdy Park is a great amenity for Nags Head and is enjoyed by locals and visitors regularly.