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Dorthea Dix Park’s Sunflowers are ready to be harvested soon! Get out to the fields while you still can. (photo by Maggie Brown)The sunflowers at Dix Park are in full bloom, which means you have about two weeks to get your selfies taken!
The five-acre Sunflower Field is located off of Hunt Drive, near the former soccer fields and the historic cemetery.
Visitors can view the sunflowers 7 days a week, from dawn until dusk. It is free to visit.
If you are visiting the sunflowers during the week, you can park in the gravel lot off of Hunt Drive and in the parking lot near the Magnolia Room off of Umstead Drive. On weeknights and weekends, you can park on any paved lot.
The field has been a popular attraction in years past, attracting thousands of people and becoming a hot spot for Instagram photos and other photo shoots.
Visitors are asked to stay on the paths in the fields, and pets should be kept on a leash. Visitors are also asked to not pick the sunflowers.
After the bloom is over, Raleigh Water harvests the sunflowers to process biodiesel for educational programs and demonstrations.
The sunflowers also serve as a massive pollinator habitat for bees and other species.
Tips for viewing the sunflowers:
- Be ready to walk and wear close-toed shoes: To see the sunflowers up close, you will need to walk up and down hills, in grass and on uneven surfaces.
- Bring these things: sunscreen, hats and bug spray
- Where to find a restroom: Port-a-johns are located near the Sunflower Field and Magnolia Room and indoor restrooms are available in the The Chapel during visitor hours.
- Do not pick the flowers
- Stay an on the pathway
- Keep pets on a leash
There isn’t food on-site but there will be food trucks the weekend of July 22-24. Here’s a list:
Food Truck Schedule for Sunflower Field
Friday, July 22:
5-9 p.m. Flattz, Tacos Neza, Lumpy’s Ice cream
Saturday, July 23:
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Oink N Moo, Buoy Bowls, Waves Shave Ice
5-9 p.m. The Flat Drum, Poblanos, Bruster’s Ice Cream
Sunday, July 24:
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Jessica’s Food Truck, Lee’s Kitchen, Sweet Treats
Thanks to WRAL.com’s GoAskMom for this Capcom story.
