Town of Garner
Garner Chamber of Commerce

Garner prides itself on its small town atmosphere where everyone feels welcome as well as its prime location and easy access to downtown Raleigh. It offers beautiful neighborhoods, great community events, 350 acres of parkland, shopping and local entertainment venues. Garner has experienced steady growth over the last decade, allowing the time for the careful planning of the facilities and services to support the continued progress. Garner residents are able to send their children to the Wake County Public School System, one of the fastest growing districts in the nation, devoted to providing academic excellence for every child.

Garner is also a thriving community for business and commerce. With its proximity to the Research Triangle Park combined with its small-town character and access to the University of North Carolina, Duke University and North Carolina State University, Garner provides excellent economic opportunities for new and expanding businesses. Garner offers a wide variety of homes from entry-level and medium-sized homes to a modern executive level home. Many Triangle residents find Garner to be affordable and convenient.

Garner Location

Garner is located in Southeastern Wake County at the interchange of Interstate 40 and US 70 and is convenient to Raleigh, Cary, Durham, the Research Triangle Park, RDU Airport, Fuquay Varina and Apex.

Approximate Driving Times from Raleigh to: Durham 20-25 minutes Cary 15-20 minutes Research Tri. Park 15-20 minutes RDU Airport 15-20 minutes Apex 20-25 minutes Garner 20-25 minutes Chapel Hill 25-30 minutes Holly Springs 20-25 minutes Southern Pines 40-45 minutes

Garner Parks and Recreation

The Garner Parks and Recreation Department features 11 parks on over 350 acres of parkland with a variety of amenities and activities sure to please every member of the family including ball fields, tennis courts, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, lakes, playgrounds, and shelters. White Deer Park is Garner's newest park and offers a wildflower meadow as well as natural and interactive playgrounds and educational classes on vermicomposting, stargazing and bird watching. Lake Benson Park is the perfect place for walkers and jobbers and has a boathouse with rods and reels available to borrow for a day of fishing. The Garner Senior Center Fitness Annex and the Avery Street Recreation Center offer fitness classes for all interests and abilities.

The Garner Historic Auditorium features an expansive stage and backstage area, theatrical lighting and sound as well as comfortable auditorium seating. It can be rented for public and private events and hosts a variety of performances throughout the year.

Garner Special Events

The Town of Garner truly embraces the concept of community and has many special events for the residents to participate in including the Garner Community Yard Sale, the Garner Community Covenant which promotes state and community partnerships with the Army to provide quality of life for their soldiers and families, the Garner Summer Concert Series, a Memorial Day Observation, an Independence Day Celebration at Lake Benson Park featuring music, games and refreshments, a 5k, and various performances and productions at the Garner Historic Auditorium throughout the year.

Garner History

The Town of Garner was initiated as the North Carolina Railroad was established in the 1850's. The post office, "Garner's Station" was established in 1878 and within one year, Garner's Station had several general stores. It was incorporated in 1905 when it acquired a railroad depot which became central to the community, establishing Garner as a local market and shipping for cotton. Highway 70 was the first paved road built in the state and became essential to business in Garner. Developments and subdivisions began to sprout in Garner in 1923 when what is now known as Old Garner High School was constructed. Business and residential life of Garner has grown steadily throughout the years.

Garner's ability to maintain its small town charm throughout much growth and the proximity to downtown Raleigh gives it a character that many residents can't resist. Affordable homes on spacious lots draw many people to call Garner home.