2025 was a banner year for Dix Park, with the opening of Gipson Play Plaza and Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s trolls coming to town. But the conservancy responsible for the 308-acre oasis in downtown Raleigh shows no signs of slowing down in the coming year.
Starting next summer, visitors will be able to get coffee, wine, beer, and other grab-and-go fare from a newly renovated Flowers Cottage in the western part of the park. Cottage Coffee will open upstairs while Park Bar will find a home under a new back deck off of the property, making it easy to enjoy nearby attractions like the dog park, Flowers Field, and (hint) a few of the trolls.
“The western portion of [Dix Park] is the more natural, pastoral kind of 19th-century park,” explained Nick Smith, chief of staff at the conservancy. “There are less cars, less traffic, more green and open spaces, and amenities that support those like this, where you can go and spread out and relax with something that helps you enjoy the park and stay a little bit longer.”
Smith and his team tapped Justin Pasfield and Jeff Clarke, restaurateurs behind popular local spots like Person Street Bar, Locals Seafood, and Natural Science, to bring Cottage Coffee and Park Bar to life.
“The opportunity to be part of something like Dix Park feels special and rare,” said Clarke. “We’re honored to play a small role in this park that is truly for everyone and bring more local hospitality to the table.”
“If you think the sunsets at Person Street Bar are great, just wait until you experience the sunsets at Park Bar,” he added.
At Cottage Coffee and Park Bar, you’ll be able to grab a latte in the morning before letting your dogs play in the dog park or after you’ve finished a run on the greenway. And in the afternoons and evenings, you’ll be able to sit on the expansive back deck sipping a cold glass of rosé or beer with friends. Kids can enjoy an ice cream cone, but may be too busy playing in an adjacent new play area or running free in Flowers Field.
“There’s nothing new about the magic of Dix Park and the skyline views, but at the same time, it’s easy at the park to feel transported somewhere entirely new,” Clarke said. “That’s what I love about the park and what I think visitors will love, whether it’s their first or their hundredth visit.”
Dix Park opened in 2015, followed by the launch of the conservancy in 2016, which has the mission of bringing the park’s master plan to life. Since then, Dix has become a popular spot to relax and recharge in a place that feels like it should be miles away from a bustling downtown. This latest addition will continue to build on the plan’s goal to “create a great park, a beloved public space, a common ground for all of Raleigh to enjoy.”
“People walk away [from Dix Park], and they just can’t believe this is Raleigh,” said Smith. “I really genuinely am excited about [Cottage Coffee and Park Bar] and think it’s a perfect balance to what we’ve created over on the play plaza, and I can’t wait for folks to experience both of them.”
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