The Making of Turtle Park

Ponder’s core identity is centered around nature and enjoying the great outdoors. This theme is emphasized in one of community’s signature attractions: Turtle Park! 

Slated to be ready for residents from day one, Turtle Park is sure to be your family’s new favorite place to play. With a distinct turtle-shaped play structure—named Zen!—that anchors the play area and sits as one of the key visual pieces as you enter the community, you’ll be sure to feel a spark of childlike wonder no matter your age. The name Zen was inspired by the peaceful, calm ethos of Ponder, that also gives a nod to our towns: Wendell and Zebulon. 

Modeled after a painted turtle, Zen’s colorful design brings a sense of whimsy to life. This happy, hard-shelled hangout will soon be your kids’ climbing companion, especially with multiple ways to step, swing, slide and hide around the structure, there are always new adventures to be had during a Turtle Park visit.

Turtle Park will also feature a wide-open grassy field designed for all kinds of fun. Think friendly neighborhood games of kick-the-can, spontaneous rounds of tag or round-robin tournaments featuring favorite lawn games like spikeball, cornhole, kickball and wiffleball. It’s the kind of gathering space that sparks spontaneity, builds neighborhood camaraderie and brings friends, families and neighbors closer together.

As we count down to the debut of Ponder—and Turtle Park too!—Monstrum, the Denmark-based designer behind Zen, has shared a few behind-the-scenes sneak peeks to build excitement. Known for its imaginative, one-of-a-kind approach to play, Monstrum designs playgrounds as social hubs for both children and adults, with a strong commitment to “artistic quality and inclusive play.”

Young or young-at-heart, Ponder will be the perfect place to play until the streetlights come on.  Or for those more content to sit, observe and embrace the idea of slow living, there will be a comfortable seating area to relax and take it all in.

Turtle Park is truly the place for everyone in Ponder. So, go ahead! Get out, play pretend, get connected and get moving. The grass stains will always come out.

Curious about the other amazing offerings future residents will enjoy at Ponder? Check them out here!

Ponder is a new home community located just 20 miles from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.