The Person County Recreation, Arts & Parks Department's mission is to promote and provide opportunities to enjoy meaningful leisure experiences with the provision of quality leadership, the development and maintenance of safe recreational facilities, the conservation and preservation of natural and open spaces, and creative programming in the areas of Arts, Athletics, Community Programs and the Environment that are essential to the well-being of all and high quality of life in Person County.  

Person County has the distinction of being the oldest County Recreation Department in North Carolina. Programs began in the 1940s with full funding occurring in 1961. A variety of programs are offered through our Athletics, Cultural Arts and Special Programs departments, as well as programming through Mayo Park. In addition to programs, many park facilities include lighted walking tracks, playground equipment and picnic shelters.

News & Events 

                           Centennial Park Update: Soft Opening Planned for Early Fall

We’re thrilled to share that Centennial Park is on track for a soft opening in Fall 2025 and a grand opening in Spring 2026! Thanks to the tireless dedication of our many volunteers, nearly 6miles of trail have already been completed, forming the heart of our beautiful trail system.

Key infrastructure projects are progressing well:

• The access road, parking lot, and ADA-compliant walking track are scheduled to be paved soon.
• Electrical installation is nearing completion.

Once these essential elements are finalized, construction of the restroom facility will begin.

We’re just as excited as you are to see the park come to life and can't wait for the community to explore and enjoy everything Centennial Park has to offer. Stay tuned for more updates!