To contact Empie Park, please call (910) 341-7852.

Empie Park

Empie Park in Wilmington, NC – centrally located along Independence Blvd between Park Ave. and Wrightsville Ave – is a beautiful park with plenty to do for the whole family.  Recent upgrades and improvements to the park make it highly accessible via the Wilmington Cross City Trail and provide more activities for more people (and dogs!).

Althea Gibson Tennis Complex

Empie Park is the home of the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex.  This tennis hub of Wilmington has 18 lighted tennis courts as well as a 1500 sq. ft. clubhouse with lounge, meeting room, and snack counter.  The tennis community in Wilmington is extremely active and takes advantage of being able to play outdoors year-round.  The Althea Gibson Tennis Complex is free to use and open to the public, although signing up for courts is required as they are often full.  The City offers affordable lessons and clincs for all ages and also puts on tournaments.  If you’re interested in joining the tennis community in Wilmington, NC, Empie Park is your one-stop shop!

You can also rent ball machines.

Althea Gibson Tennis Complex in Empie Park

Bike/Walk/Run Path

Now that the Wilmington Cross City Trail runs through Empie Park, there is a paved walk/run/bike trail around the circumference of the park. People can easily ride their bikes to the park or bring their bikes along and ride the trail. This is especially great with kids as it provides a play option in addition to the playground.

Cross City Trail in Empie Park

Playground

Empie Park has a modern and fun playground complete with a rock climbing wall, slides, swings, swinging bridges, firepoles, ziplines, and toddler/baby swings. It’s fun to bring the kids here to play, watch tennis, and ride bikes around the park.

Playground in Empie Park

Baseball and Softball Fields

Although the tennis complex expansion eliminated two of the softball fields at Empie Park, there is still a field (maybe 2?) left at the grounds. We’ve seen a senior softball league playing there in the mornings although most of the league play was moved out to a new 5 field complex on Murrayville Road.

Baseball Field at Empie Park

Dog Park

Empie Park is home to a popular dog park where tons of regulars come to play everyday. It is a great facility that is completely fenced in with play areas for smaller and larger dogs. There are water and pet waste stations, lots of shade, and it is free and open dawn to dusk.

Dog Park at Empie Park

Basketball Courts

There are a couple of basketball courts in the park as well. From the main entrance turn to your left and head toward the baseball fields. Follow the path straight beyond the fields and you’ll see the courts in the distance.

Basketball Court at Empie Park

Shuffleboard, Horseshoes, and Bocce

Empie also has a couple of shuffleboard and bocce courts, and horseshoe pits.

Bocce Courts at Empie Park

We encourage you to visit Empie Park in Wilmington, NC. Ride your bike, play tennis, bring the kids, bring the dogs out to play – we know you’ll love it! Be sure to check out some of the other great Wilmington and New Hanover County parks on WilmingtonNC.com.