The official opening and ribbon-cutting of Royal Park was held on June 20, 2025. Royal Park offers a splash pad, inclusive musical playground equipment, an amphitheater, a Storybook Trail, a new concessions building with restrooms, and a 1/4 walking trail. The park is located at 206 S. Center St., Hildebran between the gym and the old high school.

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The Splash Pad is open from 10:00am - 7:00pm daily from the 4th Saturday in May until Labor Day.

*Due to stage 2 mandatory water restrictions, the splash pad is currently closed. We will open as soon as we are allowed.

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The Wayne Davis Amphitheater is available to rent. The application can be viewed by clicking on the green box labeled "Amphitheater Rental." Contact Town Hall during normal business hours to check the availability at (828) 397-5801.

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The Storybook Trail was a collaboration between an EBHS student, Aubrey S., the Burke River Trail, and the Town of Hildebran. The Storybook Trail consists of 16 pedestals placed around Royal Park’s ¼ mile trail located at 202 S. Center St., Hildebran. Each pedestal holds 2 pages of a children’s book. Families can walk the trail while reading the book to help connect, promote literacy, and provide light exercise. The trail is placed on the sidewalk and is ADA accessible.

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The Storybook Trail won the "Visionary Award" from the Burke County Chamber of Commerce B.I.G. Awards and was recognized at the Burke County Commissioners Meeting held on May 18, 2026.

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Several businesses and the community came together to make Storybook Trail possible. Funding was provided by:

Burke River Trail - $2,000

East Burke Kiwanis - $1,250

Republic Services - $500

DDI of Hickory - $290

Burns Investment, Inc. - $250

Jennie Cook - $250

HHDA - $200

Debra Young - $200

Tex's Fish Camp - $100

Curley's Fish Camp-Foster Family - $100

Albert L. Parkhurst Family - $100

Larry & Louise Huffman Family - $100

SynergyLabs - $100

Walkin' Roll Activities League - $50

Nancy Wood - $50

Connie Sain - $50

Mike and Lisa Stroupe - $10

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Voluteers that installed the pedestals:

Beth and Eric Heile - Burke River Trail

James Glick - Burke River Trail

Caleb and Courtney Huffman - East Burke Kawanis

Logan Shook - Hildebran Town Manager

Haven Ward - Hildebran staff

Dylan Walker - Hildebran volunteer

Aubrey Sanders - EBHS student

Alice Sanders - Hildebran staff

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​Royal Park was made possible by the following people, organizations, and grant funding:
 

Rep. Hugh Blackwell helped the Town secure a State Capital Infrastructure Grant - $146,500

Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Authority (PARTF) Grant - $289,700

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds via the American Rescue Act - $640,000

Beth Heile and the Burke River Trail Association managed the sponsorship campaign - $31,330

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​*No tents or open flames (including grills) are allowed at Royal Park.