A few miles from Interstate 95 and just a few steps off U.S. 64 are 143 acres of open land.

Well, it was open land before the Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department built its crown jewel in 2007.

The Rocky Mount Sports Complex houses six baseball fields as well as four softball fields, which also can be converted into baseball fields.

There’s one championship-size baseball field, four soccer fields and a disc golf course. Add in two outdoor basketball courts and a walking trail, and Rocky Mount has a year-round attraction not only for local residents, but North Carolinians from every part of the state.

The complex plays host to youth leagues based on the season as well as many state and national sporting events. The department serves nearly 40,000 athletes every year.

Along with the sports complex, the Parks and Recreation Department also offers 39 other recreational areas – 31 parks, seven recreation centers and the Denton Street Pool.

The facilities range from the 143-acre sports complex to local buildings that can be rented out for parties or gatherings. A full list of sites can be found at rockymountnc.gov/parks.

A 3.9-mile biking and walking trail runs from Sunset Park to Martin Luther King Jr. Park. There also is a loop trail around City Lake Park, which is located off Sunset Avenue.

The Denton Street Pool is open from May 28 to Sept. 5.

Before June 12 and after Aug. 12, the pool is only open on the weekends. Hours during the peak season are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., with short breaks at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

While there are some obvious opportunities at the man-made facilities around town, the department also takes advantage of its natural resources.

The Tar River, which runs through Rocky Mount, is used for fishing, rafting and canoeing. There also are ropes courses in town.