E. Carroll Joyner Park

Park Details

Joyner Park is 117 acres
It is the town's newest and largest park
The park is located one mile east of Capital Boulevard
Scheduled for several phases of development, Phase I of Joyner Park was completed in late July 2009 and the park was opened to the public in August 2009
The Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department received $750,000 in grants for the Phase I development, in addition to $3.5 million in bond proceeds

Amenities & Features

Restored Farm Buildings
Pecan Grove
1,000-Lawn-Seat Amphitheater
Walker Garden
Performance Garden
2,000 Linear Foot Stone Ribbon Wall
Three Miles of Paved Walking Trails
Charcoal grills
Fishing
Rental Pricing

Rules

Park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Smoking is limited to parking areas only.
Use of personal grills (gas and/or charcoal) is prohibited.
Dogs must be on a leash. Also, please clean up after your dog. Dog waste receptacles and bags are provided.

park rules & safety

(PNG, 3.74 MB)

Joyner Park Master Plan Update

"Picture Joyner Park" was the name assigned to the Town initiative aimed at updating the Joyner Park Master Plan.

The effort offered area residents a variety of opportunities to share their ideas concerning the park's future.

Click the Master Plan rendering (PNG, 3.74 MB) to view current and future elements at Joyner Park.

The Legacy of Dr. E. Carroll Joyner

Born in 1933, Dr. E. Carroll Joyner grew up on a 25-acre farm near Newton Grove in Sampson County, NC. After working while studying to support his education at NC State University, he graduated in 1956. In the following years, he served in the US Army Reserves and worked at a poultry plant in Raleigh. He began his independent business career in 1960 with ownership of a Western Auto Store.

In the 1970s, Joyner built and owned two of the first Golden Corral building properties. Eventually, he landed sites for more than 100 restaurants across the US in his role as the company’s Vice President of Real Estate Development.

After resigning from Golden Corral in 1982, Joyner developed partnerships and discovered opportunities for investment in enterprises, securities and commodities across many industries. His success in business grew, along with his commitment to the community. In 1987, Joyner established the NC Cattlemen’s Foundation. Among the accolades recognizing his service, he is a recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

One of NC State’s most generous philanthropists, Joyner was the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2003, while the school’s E. Carroll Joyner Visitor Center opened its doors to prospective students and guests in 2006. His institutional contributions have also improved the lives of students and communities at other North Carolina schools, including Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa and nearby Louisburg College, where the E. Carroll Joyner Student Residence honors his generosity.

In 1982, Joyner purchased the Walker Farm (at this site), and renamed it the OK Joy Farm, thereby fulfilling a longtime dream of becoming a cattle farmer. After years as a working farmer and entrepreneur, he partnered with the Town of Wake Forest in 2009 to donate most of the land that became E. Carroll Joyner Park.

Recognized for his belief in hard work and life-long devotion to helping others, in 2018 he completed Udder Genius, a memoir and guide for aspiring entrepreneurs.