Knight Farm Community Park — Attraction in Pittsboro

This park is really cute! Just be cautious if you're planning on holding a birthday party or other event here. We went through all the steps to properly rent the pavilion (it's a tad expensive for just the pavilion with picnic tables, but it's the $250 deposit that's definitely an issue---read on).

We rented the space for our child's party and I asked, when going in to pay, if there would be a sign up letting others know that it's reserved. No- no sign. We were told to ask people to leave if they were using the pavilion during our rental time and call the police if they wouldn't. Not really the "calling the police on townfolk" type, but what could we say? We just hoped for the best!

There was no one from the town to "check-in" or "check-out" before/after the party which is fine, but then, considering it's a public space, what is the $250 deposit for? There would be no way for us to demonstrate that any damage to the space was not from our party since there's no check in/out (and no way for the town to do the opposite, though of course, they have the money and possession being 9/10 of the law and all...).

So anyway- we start setting up our kid party stuff and another couple starts setting up shortly after. I politely ask them if they had also rented the space. They had not realized it needed to be rented/reserved. Obviously we weren't going to kick out this nice family and their small child a few minutes before their kid's birthday party (let alone call the police on them!).

The party(ies) go fine. Lots and lots of kids on the zipline and other "favorite" equipment, but since the park is public, that's always a possibility, I suppose. Some of the smaller kids from the other party didn't understand the "two party" thing (again, totally understandable), but luckily, I had really stuffed lots of toys in the pinata and brought lots of snacks, so no one went without. A couple of moms from the other party noticed their kiddos had toys from the pinata and really sweetly asked if our party-goers had all gotten some, to make sure we had had enough.

Anyway- the unfortunate part for me (and the reason why I won't rent any Pittsboro public space again) is that over a month out from the party, we're still waiting to get our deposit back and don't have it in-time for Christmas. We had been told it might come a few days later (the party was mid-November) because our party was right before Thanksgiving. I checked-in the first week of December (allowing 2.5 weeks from the party) and was told they only mail the checks every other week so it would be on the way that week. Still nothing by 12/21, so emailed again and now the check needs a bunch of signatures including the mayor, so still not in the mail.

The woman from the town who coordinates all this is super nice- so no complaints about any particular person. They just clearly don't have a working system in place.

I also provided feedback suggesting they put up a sign at the pavilion that stays there and says something like "To rent this space for your event, go HERE." Not only might that drum up more rentals, it will also make it clear to folks that you can't/shouldn't just show up to throw a party without reserving/renting the space. [But for goodness' sake, if you do and there's someone there who did rent it- be a good human being and offer to split the cost they've already paid if you're going to stay.]

This was a very expensive and unfortunate park/pavilion rental experience for us, so I'm just hoping to spare someone else...

Absolutely amazing park with so many areas for exploring. Truly a hidden gem.

In the summer the spray ground, water bottle filler, shaded adult seating, and bathroom large enough to change in is an amazing combination.

Any time of the year the playgrounds (for littles and bigs) and climbing structures, the zip line, the nature play area, and the picnic shelter are fabulous.

Plenty of parking, too.

No fence or gate so you have to watch children who like to run far.

Bathrooms have flush toilets and soap.

There is an exterior outdoor shower on the side of the bathroom building facing the spray ground. Not sure why, but perhaps a useful amenity to you, gentle...

This community playground is a nice gem. Even when there are lots of people here parking is easy. Restrooms are unlocked around 8 am and cleaned if necessary at that time. The splashpad is on 10 am to 8 pm from late spring to early fall. There are many picnic benches under the roof. No sandbox here so you don't need to worry about ending up with a sandy car. Sometimes the garbage cans are overflowing (not emptied daily) and sometimes there is garbage scattered around. There are 2 fenced areas for dogs to go off-leash, one for smaller dogs and another for...