We made it through another season of summer running in Winston-Salem! Whew! After 20+ years of running through the summer heat and humidity, I am so thankful for the numerous public water fountains our city has to offer. Planning run routes with access to water can be a lifesaver (literally!) on summer days. Here is my top 10 list of runner friendly water fountains in Winston-Salem (in order from #10 to #1).
#10 – Hanes Park Track – We are very fortunate to have access to public running tracks in Winston-Salem. Rehydration when running intervals on a warm day is essential. This fountain can be found next to the track, and near the pedestrian bridge from the West End Blvd. side of the park to the Tennis Center building. This fountain is especially convenient if you start and finish your run from another location and don’t bring your own source of water/drink for a track workout.
#9 – Polo Park Playground – This fountain is a hidden gem, located inside the playground fence and convenient for runs on Polo Road between Robinhood and Reynolda Roads. It is located in an area where few other sources of water can be found.
#8 – Salem Lake Playground – The renovation of this area with the addition of restrooms, a shelter, playground and paved parking was a great enhancement for runners. Whether you start/finish your run at this end of the lake or at the Linville Road end, you are guaranteed access to water at this location. You can find the fountain next to the restroom building.
#7 – Salem Lake Linville Road – In my earlier years, we would drop water supplies off at this location before starting group runs on the Marina side of the lake. Completing the 7 mile loop without water in the summertime was problematic. Since this fountain was installed a few years ago, that is no longer necessary. This freestanding fountain can be found right next to the trail and near the Linville Road parking lot. This may be the most conveniently located fountain for runners on my list.
#6 – Wake Forest Poteat Field – If you run on the Wake Forest campus roads, then you have probably taken a drink of water from this fountain. It is located next to the Poteat intramural fields and convenient to Wake Forest Road that circles by Wait Chapel and other campus buildings on the Hearns Plaza Quad.
#5 – Reynolda Gardens Greenhouse – This may be the 2nd oldest fountain on the list. This one also carries a lot of nostalgia for runners of a few decades ago. While many group runs start and finish near this fountain, it is also the “turnaround” spot for many runs. The fountain is located to the right of the greenhouse entrance. The recent placement of the Dennis McNeil fountain has likely reduced the demand on this fountain, but it still serves a lot of runners seeking rehydration.
#4 – William G. White YMCA – At one time, this outdoor water fountain and the nearby stretching post served as THE gathering spot for TCTC group runs. Nostalgia aside, this water fountain is very convenient for runs around Hanes Park. You can find it in a shady spot on the corner, just beyond the compact car parking spots. The stretching post provides an opportunity to loosen up tight muscles as you pause to rehydrate.
#3 – Daggett Shuler – You can find this water fountain on the backside of the office building off Country Club Road. It is available year round and in a convenient location for many run routes. This is one of the few local businesses with an outdoor water fountain to serve the running community. Thank you Daggett Shuler!
# 2 – Old Salem Well Pump – This one wins the prize for the oldest water source on the list. And there is something extra special about pumping the water and drinking from cupped hands in this historic location. And if you’re really hot, it is easy to drench your head for a quick cooling effect. The fountain can be found on the southwest corner of Salem Square in the middle of Old Salem. Quick factoid – it’s not really well water. This is a reconstruction of one of the water pumps that served the town of Salem from 1778. The water source is Winston-Salem City water.
#1 – Dennis McNeil Fountain (near Reynolda Gardens) – This is one of the newest fountains on my list, and my #1 for a couple of reasons. One, it is conveniently located on the killer hill between Reynolda Village and the Reynolda House properties. Even if you’re not thirsty, it gives you a good excuse to take a break halfway up the hill to catch your breath and give your legs a break. Even more important is the thought behind this fountain. This fountain was placed there as a memorial by the family of Dennis McNeil. Dennis was a longtime active TCTC club member and served as club president from 2018-2019. For me, the fountain is not just an opportunity for a sip of water, but an opportunity to remember a friend and great person who is no longer with us in person, but still runs with us in our memories.
Editor’s Note: While photographing the fountains, it has come to our attention that The Polo Park water fountain is currently out of service. We hope this is fixed soon. In the meantime we suggest checking out the fountain at WFU Tennis Court (pictured below).
