Sunset Park

Sunset Park

This 25 acre park is located off Sunset Avenue on Taylor Street and River Drive (1550 River Drive) beside the Tar River. Sunset Park is one of the crown jewels of the City's Parks and Recreation park system. It features lighted basketball and tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, boat ramp access to the Tar River, 18 hole disc golf course, Little league baseball/softball field, skate board park, 4 picnic shelters, playground, and a concession stand serving ice cream, snow cones and a variety of summer time refreshments.

The park also features an Amusement Center with a historic miniature train, antique carousel, spray play water park, and bug kiddie ride (for guest under 40" tall). The amusement center entrance is located inside the park concession stand.

Admission to the Amusement Center is $5.00 per person. This fee is for EACH INDIVIDUAL who enters the amusement center and includes unlimited access to spray park, train, carousel and bug ride. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times while inside the amusement center. Children 4 and under are admitted free.

Operating Season

The office can be reached at 252-446-0500. Hours for the concession stand and the amusement center are:

  • Early Season Open weekends only starting on Memorial weekend. Memorial Monday and Saturdays 1-7PM. Sunday 1-5PM.

  • Summer Season Begins when Nash Rocky Mount School system year ends. Open Monday – Saturdays 1-7PM. Sundays 1-5PM.

  • Late Season Open Labor Day weekend. Saturday 1-7 PM. Sundays 1-5 PM. Monday 1-7 PM. Closed after Labor Day Weekend.

No refunds are allowed. Daily opening and operational hours could be affected by inclement weather. Spray play water park hours may be affected by water restrictions. Train operating hours will be 1:00-2:00, 2:30-3:30, 4:00-5:00 & 5:30-6:30 PM. Participants admitted during the final 30 minutes of the day may not be able to enjoy all features of the amusement center. (Please give yourself plenty of time to enjoy all features of the park).

Train

The Sunset Park Train is a Model G-16 Miniature Train built by the Allen Herschell Company and purchased by the Junior Chamber of Commerce (The Jaycees) in 1952. Model G-16s were modeled upon the F7 General Motors Diesel Locomotives. The train is driven by a 20 horsepower Wisconsin gasoline engine and is a scale model one fifth the size of the train it depicts. It carries 36 passengers. The engine weighs 2,400 lbs. Each wheel has vacuum brakes. Traveling speed is 8 miles per hour.

Carousel

The circa 1920 Herschell-Spillman “County Fair” style carousel was bought for the City of Rocky Mount in 1952 by the Rocky Mount Civitan Club. The Carousel was severely damaged in the flood of 1999 and required extensive restoration which was completed by Carousel Magic of Mansfield, Ohio. Renovated rounding boards were added to include paintings of images found on 1920’s postcards depicting Rocky Mount landmarks and activities of that time.

Spray Ground

Due to water conservation efforts the spray park will operate from 1:00pm to 7:00pm every day. We also have a bug ride along with concessions that include popcorn, ice cream, snow cones, and more!

Disc Golf Course

Sunset Party Packs

Have your child's party at Sunset Park!! Party Packs are two hour sessions (9:00am-11:00am or 11:00am-1:00pm).

Party Packs are two hour sessions (9:00am - 11:00am or 11:00am - 1:00pm). Party Packs are available to reserve starting April 1 through Labor Day. A Party Pack reservation guarantees access to the Sunset Park Amusement Center's Outdoor Picnic Area or the Inside Picnic Area during inclement weather (Only). Weather permitting, a Party pack reservation will include access to the Amusement Rides (Carousel, Miniature Train & Bug Ride) and Spray Park.

A typical Party Pack includes 3 separate timed sessions. 1) Picnic Session 2) Amusement Ride Session 3) Spray Park Session. When you arrive on site you can determine the length of each session. Your Picnic Session can overlap any other sessions, but for groups smaller than 75, the Amusement Session and Spray Park Session can not overlap each other. Our experienced Party Supervisor on duty can help you plan your sessions on site to maximize the fun.

Party Pack pricing is as follows:

Up to 25 participants:

  • City Residents: $105.00

  • Non-City Residents: $157.50

  • Nash/Rocky Mount Schools (payment must be from Nash Rocky Mount Schools): $110.00

Additional participants:

  • City residents: $3.00

  • Non-residents: $5.00

  • Nash Rocky Mount Schools: $4.00

Notice

In fairness to all scheduled groups and activities at the amusement center, a properly scheduled group who arrives during another group's scheduled Party Pack session, will NOT be admitted into the amusement center until the beginning time of their scheduled session. Groups arriving late for a scheduled session will have their session shortened. Individual guest arriving late for a party pack group session, must be approved for admittance by the group's "responsible party."

Sunset Park Shelters and Party Pack rentals are now available online, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department with any questions at 252-972-1151.

The park will close for the season after labor day weekend.