Barber Park Greensboro: Your Complete Guide to One of GSO’s Best Summer Parks
If you’re looking for a park in Greensboro that genuinely has it all, Barber Park is it. Tucked in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood just four miles from downtown, this 109-acre community park is one of the most well-equipped and beloved green spaces in the Gate City — and one of the best free things to do in Greensboro for families, fitness lovers, disc golfers, and anyone who just wants a great day outside.
What’s at Barber Park
Free 18-Hole Disc Golf Course
One of Greensboro’s most popular free outdoor activities. Barber Park’s 18-hole disc golf course is free to play and winds through the park’s wooded areas and open spaces. A great option for beginners and experienced players alike — bring your own discs or borrow from the Community Bike Shop on Sundays. A full round typically takes 1.5–2 hours.
Sprayground & Interactive Water Play Area
A major draw for families with kids during the summer months. Barber Park’s sprayground is a free interactive water play area with a jungle gym, making it one of the best ways to cool off on a hot Greensboro day. Bring a towel and a change of clothes — kids will not want to leave. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Daily hours of operation are 11:30 am to 5:00 pm
Playground
A well-maintained playground suitable for younger children adjacent to the sprayground, with ample surrounding picnic tables and covered shelters for parents to settle in while the kids play.
1-Mile Walking Trail
A one-mile paved walking loop around the park that’s popular with morning walkers, joggers, and families with strollers. Flat and easy, with shade along portions of the route. Connects to the Community Bike Shop at the trailhead.
Community Bike Shop — Free Bike Lending Library
One of the most unique and community-minded features of any Greensboro park. The Community Bike Shop at Barber Park offers a free bike lending library — borrow a bike at no charge — plus free bike repair help from volunteer mechanics. Open Sundays 1–4 PM. A wonderful resource for families who want to explore the park or the surrounding area on two wheels.
Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion
A year-round indoor sports facility featuring:
- 8 plexi-court tennis courts
- 4 combination basketball/volleyball courts
All open for recreational play year-round. The large multipurpose room is also available to rent for tournaments and special events. This is one of the most comprehensive indoor recreational facilities in any Greensboro public park and makes Barber Park a year-round destination regardless of the weather.
Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Barber Park has outdoor fitness equipment stations Free to use, with on-site instructions at each station. See our Outdoor Fitness Courses in Greensboro guide for more free workout spots across the city.
Penn Wright Baseball Stadium
Home field of the Eastern Baseball League, the Penn Wright Baseball Stadium features a full press box for tournaments, a concessions area, and stadium seating. A great spot to catch a local baseball game and experience some of Greensboro’s athletic community in action.
Outdoor Amphitheater
An outdoor amphitheater available on a rental basis for community concerts, talent shows, and special presentations. A unique and versatile venue within the park campus for events of all kinds.
Yvonne J. Johnson Event Center
An upscale rental venue for parties and weddings located within Barber Park. Named after Yvonne Johnson, Greensboro’s first African American mayor, the center is a popular and meaningful event space for the community.
Tribute to Women Exhibit
An interactive exhibit honoring the contributions of Greensboro women — a thoughtful and educational addition to the park campus worth taking a few minutes to explore.
6 Picnic Shelters
Six covered picnic shelters with electrical outlets make Barber Park one of the best parks in Greensboro for family cookouts, birthday parties, and group gatherings. Shelters are available first-come, first-served or can be reserved through Greensboro Parks & Recreation.
Safety Town at Barber Park
One of the most beloved and unique programs associated with Barber Park — and a must-know for parents of young children in Greensboro. Safety Town is a summer program that has operated in the city for over 40 years, and the Barber Park location is one of two permanent sites in the city. A partnership between the Nat Greene Kiwanis Club and the Greensboro Police Department, Safety Town teaches 5- and 6-year-olds critical life skills across a 20-hour curriculum covering pedestrian safety, fire safety, water safety, gun safety, train safety, and more — led by Greensboro Police Department School Resource Officers. The highlight for most kids is zipping around a kid-sized village on pedal go-karts while learning the rules of the road and traffic safety in a tangible, memorable way.
Sessions at Barber Park run in July and August (including an evening session), and registration fills quickly each year. General registration opens in February — mark your calendar. Sessions are open to any child who is 5 or 6 years old during the session they attend; Guilford County residency is not required. Registration is $40 for general registration or $100 for Ambassador status. Teen volunteers also earn valuable community service hours.
For everything you need to know about Safety Town — sessions, registration, tips, and what to expect — Triad Moms on Main has the most comprehensive guide: Safety Town Greensboro NC: A Must for Triad Families
Visitor Information
- Address: 1500 Barber Park Dr, Greensboro, NC 27401
- Phone: (336) 373-5892
- Hours: Open daily at 8:00 AM | Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Admission: Free
- Parking: Free parking lot on site
- Restrooms: Available on site
- Accessibility: Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion is fully accessible for mobility device users
Tips for Your Visit
- If disc golf is your goal, bring your own discs or head to the Community Bike Shop on a Sunday (1–4 PM) where staff may be able to point you to disc resources
- The sprayground is most popular on hot summer weekday mornings — come early to avoid the midday rush
- Covered shelters have electrical outlets — great for larger group events; arrive early on weekends to claim a good one
- The indoor Simkins Pavilion means Barber Park is worth visiting year-round regardless of weather
- Combine a walk on the one-mile trail with a round of disc golf and the sprayground for kids for a full morning out
- The Community Bike Shop (Sundays 1–4 PM) is genuinely one of the best free resources in any Greensboro park — bring a bike that needs a tune-up
- Barber Park is 4 miles from downtown — easy to combine with a lunch stop on South Elm Street or a coffee at Chandler’s
