NC Office of Environmental Education
 
San-Lee Environmental Education and Recreation Park
HealthEE Center


San-Lee Park is a 160-acre park that offers a variety of experiences for its visitors. Four miles of hiking trails meander around two 10-acre lakes that are stocked monthly with catfish. The park is a community fishing site and visitors wishing to fish but don't have the gear can sign up for the Rod and Reel program. A five-mile, moderate to difficult mountain bike trail loops around the perimeter of the park. A nature center houses native, non-releasable and rehabilitating wildlife fom reptiles to birds of prey. Paddle boats and canoes are available to rent on weekends. If you geocache,multiple caches are hidden within the park. Tent and RV campgrounds are open April through November. Programs are available to schools, civic groups, scout groups, etc. on and off site, free of charge. Scheduled nature programs and a nature summer camp are available to the public at a set fee. A multi-purpose room and pavillion are available to rent. Call the park for details.

Newsletter
The Raptor
www.leecountync.gov
Call or email to be placed on the mailing list. 

HealthEE Center
Trails
Thoreau Trail, .9 miles, unpaved, moderate difficultly (there are hills)
Leopold Trail, .9 miles, unpaved, moderate difficultly (hills)
Muir Trail, .9 miles, unpaved, moderate difficulty (hills)
Gatewood Loop Trail, .9 miles, moderate difficulty (hills)
None of the trails are wheelchair accessible.
Other Exercise
5 mile mountain bike trail, moderate to difficult.
Paddleboat and canoe rentals.
Health Programs
Staff led canoe trips down Cape fear River and Deep River.
Hikes for adults and families.

 San Lee

Hours of Operation
Open Monday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. - close (Closing hours: November through March 5:00 p.m.; May through August 8:00 p.m.; April and September 7:00 p.m.; October 6:00 p.m.); Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's days.

Address
572 Pumping Station Rd
Sanford, NC 27330
Directions
From Hwy. 421 S, turn left onto Bragg Street (between Burger King and Eckerd); follow to first stoplight, take a right - this is Nash Street; follow. Turn left onto Kelly Drive (2nd left from light); follow Kelly Drive to stop sign. Turn right; park is at bottom of hill on the right. From Hwy. 421 N, turn right onto Main Street (just past BIG K-mart); go to first light and turn left - this will be Nash Street; turn right onto Kelly Drive (just past the Civic Center); follow Kelly Drive to stop sign. Turn right; park will be at bottom of hill on the right. From US 1 S take Colon Rd Exit, turn LEFT at bottom of ramp. Follow to Colon-Kelly Connector. Take connector to Kelly Rd, turn LEFT at top of ramp. Go to stopsign, turn RIGHT. Park is at bottom of hill on RIGHT. From US 1 N, turn RIGHT onto HWY 78 in Tramway. Follow through HWY 421 intersetion (Wendy's, Arby's and McDonald's are on 3 corners. Go to next light, turn LEFT onto Nash St. Turn RIGHT onto Kelly Drive (just past the Civic Center); follow Kelly Drive to stop sign. Turn RIGHT; park will be at bottom of hill on the RIGHT.

Phone
(919) 776-6221
(919) 775-1531 (fax)

Website  leecountync.gov

Contacts


Jess Bridges
(919) 776-6221  Outdoor Education Specialist/Naturalist

Mission
The mission of San-Lee Park is: 1) To provide environmental education opportunities for students and the general public in order to impart knowledge and appreciation of the natural environment and to promote a stewardship of the Earth. 2) To provide low impact, non-competitive, non-sport recreational activities in a clean, safe, and natural setting. 3) To provide accurate/appropriate information pertaining to wildlife, wildlife injuries, and human/wildlife conflicts to concerned citizens of Lee County as well as to preserve the wildlife of Lee County. 4) To preserve a small but unique plant and animal community within Lee County.

Cost of Programs/Admission
Admission to the park and nature center is free. The Rod and Reel program is free. Program fees vary depending on scheduled programs. Paddleboats and canoes are $3/half hour, Sat. and Sun, 1-6pm, April-October.

Features
The 160-acre park is located on a reclaimed pumping station which provided water to the city of Sanford from 1933 to 1972. The Nature Center is located in the original pump house and the reservoir lakes are used for fishing and boating. Prior to becoming a drinking resevoir for Sanford, gold was mined from the property. A fault line runs through the park, providing visual geological changes as you walk the trails.

Accessibility
There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier on the lower lake. Wheelchairs can access the Nature Center through the back of the building.

Related Topics
  • Amphitheater
  • Biking Trail
  • Bus Parking
  • Canoe or Kayak Rental
  • Canoeing or Kayaking
  • Dogs Allowed
  • Environmental Education Center
  • Environmental Education Organization
  • Exhibits
  • Fishing
  • Government
  • Hiking Trail
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Permanent Education Staff
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Shelter
  • Restrooms
  • RV Campsite
  • Tent Campsite
  • Volunteer Opportunities or Service Learning
Posted 9/30/2006 6:29 PM
Updated   1/27/2010


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