Celebrating Pride Month with Durham Parks and Recreation ๐ณ๏ธโ๐
๐ Happy Pride Month from Durham Parks and Recreation!
This June, weโre proud to celebrate and honor Durhamโs LGBTQ+ community! Pride is about showing up as your authentic self and knowing you belongโand here at DPR, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated in our parks, programs, and public spaces.
Our parks, programs, and events are for everyoneโand that means creating inclusive spaces where all people feel seen, valued, and safe. Whether itโs through outdoor adventures, arts and culture, fitness and wellness programs, or community celebrations, we are committed to ensuring that DPR reflects the diversity of Durham.
Did You Know? โ The Role of Parks in Pride History

At the heart of 1969โs historic Stonewall uprising was Christopher Park, a prominent gathering space for the LGBTQ+ community in Greenwich Village. In the 1960s, public parks like Christopher Park provided rare safe havens for queer individuals who were otherwise forced into hiding due to widespread police harassment and societal discrimination.
Though meant to offer community and safety, these parks were often targeted by law enforcement, with LGBTQ+ individuals arrested simply for expressing themselves โ whether by dancing with someone of the same sex or wearing nonconforming clothing. Despite this persecution, parks remained crucial gathering places. After the Stonewall uprising, LGBTQ+ people continued to organize and advocate for their rights in Christopher Park, sparking a national movement.
One year later, the first Pride march passed through Christopher Street and Christopher Park, ending in Central Park โ symbolizing both resistance and celebration. These public spaces became sites of visibility, protest, and empowerment.
Parks have always played an essential role in the LGBTQ+ struggle for justice โ as spaces of refuge, resistance, and expression. Today, the mission of public parks includes ensuring that everyone, regardless of identity, has safe and equal access.
This month, we invite you to celebrate with us by joining our Pride Month Photo Challenge: ๐ธ๐
Show us how you celebrate love, identity, and community in our parks, trails, and programs.
Hereโs how to join our #DPRPrideChallenge:
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Snap a photo showing your Prideโthink rainbow gear, art, flags, or just being your authentic self in a DPR space
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Tag us @dprplaymore
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Use the hashtags #DPRPrideChallenge + #DurhamPride
Weโll be sharing our favorite photos all month long! Letโs fill our feeds with love, joy, and color, as we promote acceptance and equality and celebrate Durhamโs diverse community.
Whether youโre hiking, painting, dancing, or just soaking up sunshine in your favorite parkโwe want to see it. Letโs show that DPR has โPride in Our Parksโ!
Recommended Reads:
Pride in Parks: The Role of Parks in the Pride Movement and Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community
A History of Pride Around the Park
Honoring LGBTQ History with Pride