Hillside Park is part Durham Parks and Recreation ( DPR ). It is located at 1301 S Roxboro Street Durham, NC 27707. It features a baseball and softball field, a basketball court, a futsal court, grills, picnic shelters, picnic tables, a playground, spray-ground, and a swimming pool.
Originally the park was located right across from a school that was then called Hillside Park High School, built in 1922. This was a school meant for African-Americans during segregation times. The school eventually changed locations and the name changed to simply “Hillside High School.” Hillside Park remains in its same location. Hillside Park has been recognized as “an important place in Durham’s history.”
“My daughter learned to ride her bike there, while my son played basketball,” says English teacher Ms. Jenne Scherer.
“We practiced football at Hillside Park before,” says sophomore Antonio Best.
In 2019 the sports manufactur FIlA came to DPR about funding a complete refurbishment of the basketball courts at Hillside Park. This also included a commission of a mural by artist Sarahlaine Calva. The courts got new court surface, new goals, a design based off the Durham Flag.