+How do I get to Leigh Farm Park?

Piedmont Wildlife Center is located in Leigh Farm Park in Durham.

Address: 364 Leigh Farm Rd, Durham NC 27707

Directions via Google Maps

+What is the suggested arrival time for our program to start on time/stay on schedule?

We suggest arriving 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your program. If you have a large group, young students, or are traveling from over an hour away, we suggest arriving 30 minutes before your program in order to allow for a bathroom break.

+We are arriving in a large bus. Where should we park?

If your bus is smaller than a normal school bus, please park in the parking lot to your left once you enter the park. Otherwise, pleaes follow the map attached to your confirmation email and park at the front of the park.

PLEASE NOTE: if you continue down the paved road past the parking lot, there is no turn around for buses. Please inform your bus drivers prior to arrival. If your bus is a charter bus, we suggest you park anywhere alongside the two-lane road before entering Leigh Farm Park and then walk to the Visitor’s Center. Our roads are narrow and charter buses cannot make the turn into the parking lot.

+Parents are driving students separately. Where should they park?

We have several parking spots in the Visitor Center’s parking lot on your left as you enter Leigh Farm Park. Any additional cars may park alongside the road leading into the park.

+What should the students bring with them?

Students should bring their masks, refillable water bottles and wear closed toe shoes. Prepare for the weather as your program will take place entirely outside. Rain jackets, sunscreen, and bug spray are all highly suggested items to bring for an outdoor field trip!

+What should my group expect?

Because we will be outside the entire time, bug spray is highly suggested as ticks, mosquitoes, and biting/stinging insects do live on our property. When hiking trails, poison ivy may also be seen. Our trails are unpaved, uneven paths where most hazards are avoided. It is important to remember we will be fully immersed in nature where several species call home. Remember, if it does rain prior to your program, our trails may be muddy! Due to the limited size of our educational cabin, we do not have public restrooms. We do have port-o-potties on site for bathroom breaks.

+Is there a place to have lunch? What are some local lunch spots that can accommodate buses?

Give us a call to talk about options for lunch! We have a few picnic tables on site, but since this is a city park they may be occupied during your visit. There are a couple shopping centers nearby with several quick restaurants. If traveling from the east, we also recommend Umstead State Park or Crabtree County Park (right off I-40) for covered picnic shelters.

+How many chaperones can we bring?

We do not have a minimum number of chaperones, however, you know your group best and how many will work best for you. With 30 students, four chaperones can attend for free. One free chaperone is permitted per 8 students after 30. Any additional chaperones will be counted as additional participants in the program.

+What are the expectations of teachers/chaperones?

We want you to have a great time on your field trip too! Most chaperones that attend are grateful for the chance to connect back to nature, even if just for an hour! Please ask the instructors any questions and feel free to participate in the program. We do ask that teachers and chaperones be mindful of their students’ behavior and outline expectations beforehand. While the instructor is teaching the program, it’s always helpful to have an extra hand in the audience helping with crowd control.

*+If I have a large group of students that plan to be split into groups, should they be split up before we arrive?**

If students are split into groups prior to arrival, this allows your program to start on time, especially if you have a large group.

+What do I do if my group is running late?

Call PWC as soon as you know you will be running late! We will be able to teach your program for the remainder of the scheduled time once you arrive for no additional late fee. If our schedule allows us to extend your program past the official end time, there is a $25/half hour charge.

+What happens if there is traffic on I-40?

Please keep in mind that Piedmont Wildlife Center is located right off of I-40 in Durham. Planning to be at PWC 15 minutes prior to the start of your program allows time for most traffic on the highway. If your program is scheduled early in the morning, please take into consideration that traffic is heavier during morning hours. If your group is late due to traffic, please notify us as soon as possible. Our late policy (see above) applies to traffic delays.

+My weather app is saying rain is in the forecast. How will I know if the program is cancelled?

Piedmont Wildlife Center’s cancellation policy is to reschedule a program because of weather by 5PM the day before. However, if your program is scheduled for the afternoon, we may ask that we wait until the morning of to make a final call. We will keep an open line of communication when inclement weather is forecasted. Refunds are not issued due to weather, but we will make our best effort to reschedule your field trip.

+If we arrive and it starts to rain, will the program be rescheduled?

If your program has not been cancelled, your program will occur as scheduled, rain or shine. We have a limited amount of indoor space, so this would only apply to smaller groups. If the rain will pass, we will teach the indoor portion of your program (usually the animal program) and then head out after the rain. If it’s lightly raining, we will still lead the outdoor portion of your field trip. Please remember to dress for the weather!

+Can we stay on property before/after our program?

Please call us to ensure there are no other groups on property during the time your group will be here. While on property, you are free to explore any of our trails, play games in our fields, and observe our raptors in their outdoor enclosures. Check out our map of trails here. Please note that Leigh Farm Park is a public park, so other people not affiliated with PWC may be using these amenities.