Knightdale Station Park: A Local's Guide to Knightdale's Favorite Park
If you ask people in Knightdale where they spend their weekends, a lot of them will point you to the same place. Knightdale Station Park sits right in the middle of downtown, and it has become the heart of the town. It’s where kids run through the splash pad, where families spread out blankets for a concert, and where you can walk your dog and then grab some of the best barbecue in the country, all without moving your car.
Here’s what you need to know about the park, what’s right next to it, and why it matters if you’re thinking about living in Knightdale.
What’s at Knightdale Station Park
Knightdale Station Park covers 71 acres at 810 N. First Avenue, and it was designed to reflect the town’s farming and railroad history. It’s open from dawn to dusk, and there’s something for just about everyone:
Splash pad for hot summer days, plus Splash Pad Bash events a few Saturdays each summer
Inclusive playground built so kids of all abilities can play together
Amphitheater for concerts, movies and community events
Ashley Wilder Dog Park for off-leash time
Disc golf on the 9-hole Gauntlet 9 course
Central pond with catch-and-release fishing
Paved trails and greenway for walking, running and biking
Athletic fields, pavilions and picnic shelters you can rent for parties and games
Veterans Memorial, pollinator meadow and public art throughout the grounds
It’s a big park, but it doesn’t feel empty. On a nice Saturday it’s full of families, dog walkers and people heading over from the restaurants on First Avenue.
Where to eat and drink next to the park
This is the part that surprises people. Some of the best food in the Triangle is right on the edge of Knightdale Station Park.
Prime Barbecue
Prime Barbecue has put Knightdale on the map. Pitmaster Christopher Prieto brought Texas-style barbecue here, and it has earned a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand along with a spot on Yelp’s list of the top 100 barbecue restaurants in the country. People drive in from all over for the brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Our advice: get there early and be ready to wait, because they close for the day when the food runs out.
Oak City Brewing Company
Oak City Brewing sits on First Avenue with a beer garden that backs right up to the park. It’s family friendly and dog friendly, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll run into your neighbors. The town even holds a Farmers Market at Oak City on select Sundays through the spring, summer and fall.
The Depot on First
For a nicer dinner, The Depot on First is a local favorite. It’s set in a renovated early-1900s house on First Avenue with a big patio that looks out toward the park. The menu is chef-driven and built around seasonal North Carolina ingredients. Save room for the burnt caramel apple cheesecake, because it tends to sell out.
Events at and around the park
Knightdale keeps a busy calendar, and a lot of it happens in and around the park and along First Avenue. Depending on the year, you’ll find movies in the park, live music, Shakespeare in the Parks, the Latin American Festival, the African American Festival, Fourth on First Avenue, Fall on First Avenue and the holiday tree lighting. Check the Town of Knightdale events page for current dates.
Living near Knightdale Station Park
Being able to walk or bike to a park, a brewery and a Michelin-recognized restaurant is a big part of why downtown Knightdale has become so popular. Several of our neighborhood guides cover communities in this part of town, including Knightdale Station, Brookfield Station, Emerald Pointe and The Collection by Robuck Homes.
If you want to see how the park fits into the bigger picture, start with our Knightdale community guide or our Knightdale food scene guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Knightdale Station Park?
The park is at 810 N. First Avenue in downtown Knightdale, just east of Raleigh in Wake County.
Is Knightdale Station Park free?
Yes, the park is free to visit and open from dawn to dusk. Pavilions, picnic shelters and athletic fields can be rented through the Town of Knightdale Parks, Recreation and Cultural Programs Department.
Does Knightdale Station Park have a splash pad?
Yes. The splash pad is open seasonally and is one of the most popular spots in the park during the summer.
Is the park dog friendly?
Yes. The Ashley Wilder Dog Park gives dogs an off-leash area, and leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. Oak City Brewing next door is dog friendly too.
What restaurants are near Knightdale Station Park?
Prime Barbecue, Oak City Brewing Company and The Depot on First are all right next to the park.
Thinking about living in Knightdale?
We live and work in the Triangle, and we love showing people this part of Knightdale. If a walkable spot near the park sounds like your kind of place, we’d be happy to help you find it.
Call or text 919.583.6895, or book a call and we’ll talk through it.
