The 2026 “Photo Contest - Catch the Spirit of William B. Umstead State Park” Exhibit will feature photography of the Park, its structures and nature, so get out your cameras, pick out your best shots and submit an entry to our contest.
The submission deadline is 11:59pm Sunday June 28, 2026
Entries are limited to one per category.
1. Photo - Where are Your Footprints?
People doing Park activities, or evidence of people doing Park activities
2. Photo - Stories in Stone - Remnants and structures of the Park history
3. Photo- In the Wild - Flora (plants)
4. Photo - In the Wild - Fauna (animals)
5. Illustration - featuring or inspired by plants, animals, landscape or historic features within William B. Umstead State Park. Illustrations can be a simple sketch that could be used on a Park T-shirt or mug, full color drawings or paintings, and computer enhanced photographs. Art can be produced via hand or computer.
1. Adult. Age 17 and over
2. Youth. Age 16 and under
First, Second and Honorable Mention winners will receive the following:
Winners are encouraged to attend the exhibit reception, which is open to the public. The reception will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2-4pm.
Registration is available now. The deadline for submissions is June 28, 2026, 11:59pm. Be prepared to upload your photo with your registration (20MB file size limit). Please rename your entry as Please change file name to: "Entry Title, FirstName LastName". One entry per registration, you can submit only one entry for each of the 5 categories.
Photos must be taken in Umstead State Park to be eligible. Illustrations must be inspired by William B. Umstead State Park. Your photo can be taken at anytime, so you can take new photos or look through your treasure trove of past photos. Similarly, your illustration can be created anytime. See the contest rules and waiver here.
Download a PDF flyer of the event 2026 Umstead photo and illustration contests flyer.pdf
Discover the beauty and art of Japanese paper folding with award winning educator and author, Barbara Pearl. Learn how to create a variety of park like models such as a tulip, petal flower, lotus, butterfly magnet, robin, jumping frog, perhaps a fox or rabbit bookmark and a box to hold them all, to share with friends and family, display, or give as one-of-a-kind-gifts — all you need is a "peace" of paper. Unfold the joy and mindFOLDness of origami—you are never too old to fold.
About the Instructor: Barbara Pearl's background is in education and mathematics. She is an online college math professor, author, and story teller. She uses origami to teach math through her "Math in Motion" program. In addition, she teaches a variety of origami workshops throughout the county to adults and children at libraries, museums, and Senior Community Centers. Some of her more advanced models are currently on display at the Museum of Life and Science, Durham Center for Senior Life (DCSL), Philadelphia Airport, The Children’s Museum, The Franklin Institute Science Museum, Lockheed Martin Aerospace, Libraries including East Regional Library, and Schools throughout the country.
All are Welcome. No Experience Required. Materials provided.
Adults and children (7+) / $5 (part Material fees and part Donation)
Join us for a series of Monday evening sunset hikes. Each hike follows a different route through Umstead State Park and surrounding open space. All hikes are free. Sign up on Meetup — spots are limited.
Monday, April 13 | 5:30–7:00pm: Sunset Hike passing Big LakeA 3-mile loop on Sal's Branch Trail, passing Big Lake at sunset. All welcome, including older children.
Monday, May 4 | 6:00–8:30pm: Sunset Hike passing Davies Pond & Richland LakeA 5-mile loop starting at Schenck Memorial Forest, following Richland Creek and passing Richland Lake at sunset. Recommended for older children and adults.
Monday, June 1 | 6:30–8:30pm: Sunset Hike passing Reedy Creek LakeA 4-mile loop on the Loblolly Trail passing Reedy Creek Lake at sunset. Older children welcome.
Dress for the weather and trail conditions. Water and snacks recommended.
We're looking for volunteers to help us with our popular Spring Native Plant Sale on April 18! Volunteer tasks will include organizing the plants and Umstead State Park merchandise, assisting folks buying plants and takedown.
We have the following volunteer time slots:
We're looking for up to 30 volunteers to help make this event run smoothly.
Location: We'll be setting up in the grassy area on the right when you pull into the Reedy Creek entrance parking lot at Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513)
Our spring native plant sale is one of the most anticipated events of the year for the Umstead community. This year's sale features over 20 locally grown native species, including perennials, shrubs, grasses, ferns, and trees.
Popular species go quickly — Umstead Coalition members and donors receive early entry from 11am to noon. The best way to guarantee first pick is to become a member or make a donation of $15 or more before April 18.
100% of proceeds support William B. Umstead State Park.
11am–noon
Umstead Coalition members and anyone who has donated $15 or more on or after October 1, 2025 receive early entry and first pick of the plants. Not yet a member? Joining is one of the most direct ways to support the Park. Become a member or donate before the sale to ensure you get in first!
Our plant sales draw hundreds of people and we need lots of help to make them a success. If you'd like to volunteer for Friday setup or Saturday's sale, we'd love to have you. Sign up now.
Asclepias incarnata “Swamp milkweed” Conoclinium coelestinum “Blue mistflower” Echinacea purpurea "Purple coneflower" Helianthus angustifolius “Swamp sunflower” Liatris spicata “Blazing star” Physostegia virginiana "Obedient plant" Lobelia cardinalis "Cardinal flower" Pycnanthemum muticum "Clustered mountain mint" Salvia lyrata "Lyreleaf sage" Sisyrinchium angustifolium “Blue-eyed grass” Solidago rugosa "Rough goldenrod" Stokesia laevis “Stokes’ aster”
Muhlenbergia capillaris "Pink muhly grass"
Aesculus pavia “Red buckeye” Clethra alnifolia "Sweet pepperbush" Ilex verticillata “Winterberry” Itea virginica “Virginia sweetspire” Hamamelis virginiana "Witchhazel" * Rhododendron atlanticum "Dwarf azalea" Sambucus canadensis “Elderberry” Spiraea tomentosa "Hardhack" Onoclea sensibilis "Sensitive fern" (additional ferns possible) * Asimina triloba "Pawpaw"
Save the date for our popular fall native plant sale! We'll share more details closer to the event. 100% of proceeds support William B. Umstead State Park.
Our plant sales draw hundreds of people and we need lots of help to make them a success. If you'd like to volunteer for Friday setup or Saturday's sale, we'd love to have you.
We'll provide pricing and the plant list closer to the event.
About Us
Contact Us
The Umstead Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Join/Renew Membership
Email Sign up
Shop our Online Store
