Recreation & Parks

Our Vision

Strengthening our community by connecting people through parks and programs.

Our Mission

To enrich lives by providing engaging, innovative, and diverse recreational and cultural experiences through our parks, programs, and staff. 

Parks

Choose from a wide variety of parks and amenities to get outdoors and recreate. Several parks feature shelters available rent.

Facilities

Visit a facility to experience a wide variety of programs and activities or rent an indoor space for your upcoming event.

Athletics

Registration for upcoming Youth Athletics and camps is available online. Plan an active season for your athlete today!

Special Events

Experience Graham through special events. Indoor & outdoor events, holiday events, adult events,
family events...we have you covered!

Graham-Mebane Lake

The Graham-Mebane Lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, or opportunities to relax by the water.

Summer Day Camp

Let us provide a summer of adventures and exciting memories for your child. We stress a safe, supervised, caring, and FUN atmosphere!

Fitness & Health

Participate in a program designed to encourage healthy lifestyles with other participants from around the community.

Historical Museum

The Historical Museum, located in the Historic District of downtown Graham, showcases unique and interesting exhibits that tell the story of Graham. The Museum also contains a library and is home to the Graham Sports Hall of Fame.

Get Involved

Want to learn more about how you can help your community through Graham Recreation & Parks?

Other Information

Brian Faucette, CPRP
Director 
(336) 513-5510, ext. 3

As a child, Brian who is a native of Graham, played baseball at Cooke Park, basketball at the Graham Recreation Center and pick-up football games at S. Graham Park.  He graduated from Graham High School and then UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Recreation Administration. He began his career with the Graham Recreation and Parks Department in 2001 as the Center Supervisor.  In 2003 he transitioned to Program Supervisor where he began the popular Thursday at Seven concert series in downtown Graham and the synthetic Ice Rink.  He also partnered with area Recreation Departments to create the Yee Haw River Paddle and has served as the athletic coordinator for Alamance-Burlington Senior Games.  Brian has served on the Boards of Alamance Arts and the Alamance County Children’s Museum.  In 2017, Brian became the City of Graham’s second full-time Recreation Director.

Joshua Cutlip
Athletics Supervisor 
(336) 570-6718, ext. 3

Joshua has spent nearly his entire life in Graham. Not only lived here but also participated in Graham Recreation & Parks programs as a kid and worked part-time once he aged out of athletics. Joshua obtained his bachelor’s degree from Wingate University in Sports Management and his Master’s from Arkansas State in Sports Administration. Most recently Joshua worked as the Athletics Director in Southern Pines and looks to grow athletics for not only youth but also adults. He will be coordinating all youth sports programs; including basketball, baseball, softball, t-ball, flag football, and lacrosse as well as spring and fall soccer. 

Tel Fehlhafer, CPRP, CPSI 
Parks & Athletic Facilities Supervisor

Tel is a native of Illinois and attended the University of Tennessee, with an emphasis on Sports Turf Management. He is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of all the City’s Athletic Fields and Parks as well as the Athletic Fields at the Graham Middle School complex. Tel’s previous work experience includes working as the assistant groundskeeper for a professional baseball organization and as a head golf course superintendent for a semi/private golf course.

Marquis Graves
Centers Supervisor
(336) 570-6718, ext. 2

Marquis is a local of Alamance County. He graduated from Western Alamance High School and earned a degree in Sports and Event Management from Elon University. Marquis is deeply passionate about community and creating welcoming, fun, and engaging spaces for the City of Graham. Marquis handles the programming, management, and supervision of the Graham Recreation Center, Maple Street Center, and Graham Civic Center as well as reservations and rentals for the Recreation Center, Civic Center, South Graham Park, Bill Cooke Park, and Graham Regional Park. Marquis also oversees the Summer Day Camp program.

Emma Griffin, CPRP
Program Supervisor
(336) 513-5510, ext. 1

Emma is an Alamance County native and graduated from Southern Alamance High School and then UNC-Greensboro with a degree in Recreation and Parks Management and Sociology minor. While growing up playing recreation league softball and basketball as well as being a camp counselor, she developed a passion for public service and involvement. She coordinates general programs and various signature downtown events such as the Cottontail Crawl,  Slice of Summer, and the Pumpkin Bash.

Steve Hadden, CPRP
Graham-Mebane Lake Warden
(919) 563-6544

Steve is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. Before coming to Graham-Mebane Lake, Steve worked for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As Warden, Steve manages Lake operations and enforces Lake regulations. Graham-Mebane Lake hosts numerous fishing and ski tournaments throughout the year as well as daily boating and bank fishing.

Brandy McCandless, CPRP, CFEA
Marketing Supervisor
(336) 513-5510, ext. 2

Brandy is a graduate of North Carolina State University, with an emphasis on leadership in the public sector. She began her career as an afterschool counselor and because of her love for the recreation and parks field has continued her public service journey for over twenty years in youth programming, special events, as a center director, and in marketing. Brandy was a part of creating and implementing the Hikes with Hounds program, receiving the 2016 North Carolina Recreation & Parks Association’s Innovative Program Award. She currently oversees advertising and marketing, as well as the Thursdays at Seven Concert Series, Musical Chairs Concert Series in Graham, Movies in the Park, Downtown Graham’s Ice Skating Rink, the City of Graham Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, and Hikes with Hounds.

Mailing Address

City of Graham – Recreation & Parks
PO Drawer 357
Graham, NC 27253

Policies

Check Policy – All checks should be made payable to the Graham Recreation and Parks Department. A $25.00 service charge will be assessed by the City of Graham for all checks returned by the bank. Cash will be required for
subsequent payments on any “insufficient funds” account. 

Refund Policy – With all refunds, patrons will be charged a $10.00 administrative fee. After authorization, a check will be issued within 30 days so there is minimum inconvenience to our patrons.

a. Facility Rental: The following schedule will be used to determine refunds for facility rentals:

• Cancellation 30 days prior to event 100% refund
• Cancellation less than 30 days, but 14 or more 50% refund
• Cancellation less than 14 days, but 7 or more 25% refund
• Cancellation less than 7 days No refund

b. Park Shelters: Refunds will not be issued unless the reservation is canceled within seven (7) business days of the reservation date. Refunds will not be issued due to inclement weather; however, if requested, the GRPD will attempt to reschedule the reservation at a later date at no additional cost.

c. General Programs: Total refunds will be given without question prior to the start of a program. After the program has begun, a refund will be given only for medical or unavoidable circumstances and/or upon director approval. All programs canceled by the GRPD due to unforeseen circumstances or inclement weather will be rescheduled or a refund will be given in a prompt manner.

d. Summer Day Camp: 100% refund will be given for cancellations made two weeks prior to the first day of camp. A 50% refund will be given for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the first day of camp. No refund will be given for cancellations made on or after the first day of camp.

e. Athletics: No refunds will be given two weeks after registration closes. Refunds will only be given for medical or unavoidable circumstances and/or upon director approval.

playUNITED Inclusion Policy – The Graham Recreation and Parks Department (GRPD) is committed to creating and promoting inclusion across all spaces, places, facilities and programs the department manages. The inclusion policy entitled playUNITED will guide the GRPD when developing facilities and programs, and establishing supporting practices to ensure everyone has access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation. playUNITED Inclusion Policy

Ordinances 

City ordinance Sec. 4-48. – “Parades, concerts, and special events; animals prohibited.” prohibits all pets/animals from any City of Graham special event.

City ordinance Sec. 12-16. – “Regulation of smoking in public places.” prohibits any type of smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco at any public place, including special events.

City ordinance Sec. 14-96. – “Selling, peddling, etc.” It shall be unlawful for any person or group to engage in soliciting, peddling, begging, or selling of any item in a park. This would include the marketing of any food merchandise within the facility unless written authority is given by the city, the recreation and parks department or its designated agents. ((Code 1983, § 9-71; Ord. of 9-1-1981, § 14; Ord. of 3-5-1996(3))

City of Graham & FAA – “Policy for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Usage in Public Parks” prohibits the flying on drones in any area occupied by people and/or at special events. City of Graham Drone Policy

City of Graham Code of Ordinances

Click Here to learn more about the 2020 Master Plan.

Click Here to learn more about the playUNITED Inclusion Policy.

Click Here to learn more about the City of Graham Mobile Parklet.

Click Here to learn more about the Park & Play – Mobile Recreation program.

Social Media & Event Contests

Social Media Contests – Social media contests are only open during the dates listed on Facebook posts until midnight on the last day. The contests are for ages 18 and older and participants must be a resident of Alamance County. Winner will be announced following each contest through a Facebook post on the Graham Recreation & Parks Facebook page. See each contest post for how prize is determined. In the event of a tie, a staff member will collect entries and draw a name. One prize per person. Prizes can be picked up at the Graham Recreation Center (311 College Street, Graham, NC 27253) during operational hours and a photo ID must be presented. There will be no mailing of prizes. All prizes must be picked up within 30 days or prize will be forfeited. These contests are in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.

Event Contests (i.e. Scavenger Hunts, etc.) – Event contests are only open during the dates listed on the website’s event page until midnight on the last day. Winner will be announced following each contest through a Facebook post on the Graham Recreation & Parks Facebook page and on the website’s event page. See website’s event page for how prize is determined. In the event of a tie, a staff member will collect entries and draw a name. One prize per person. Prizes can be picked up at the Graham Recreation Center (311 College Street, Graham, NC 27253) during operational hours and a photo ID must be presented. There will be no mailing of prizes. All prizes must be picked up within 30 days or prize will be forfeited. These contests are in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.

Crafty Upcycle Collection for Youth Programs

Specific recyclable & reusable items are being collected at the Graham Recreation Center to be used during youth programming opportunities. Please make sure donated items are empty & clean. Please check back, the list will be updated as items are collected or needed. This collection program is ongoing.

Drop Off Times: 9:00am – 4:00pm, weekdays only 
Drop Off Location: Graham Recreation Center • 311 College Street, Graham, NC 27253 • Phone: (336) 570-6718 

Items currently needed include:
• paper towel tubes (no toilet paper tubes)
• pie tins (small & large)
• paint stirrers
• buttons
• egg cartons
• glass jars of various sizes