When families tour 297 Bonaventure Dr, they often ask about what there is for kids to do in Clayton — schools, yes, but also soccer practice on Saturday mornings, summer camps, playgrounds, and the kind of community programs that make a new town feel like home. The answer is that Clayton's Parks and Recreation Department runs one of the most active youth recreation programs in Johnston County, and it's all within a short drive of Portofino's gated entrance. Here is a practical guide to the family recreation scene awaiting residents of this community.
The Clayton Community Center: Your Hub for Year-Round Programs
The Clayton Community Center at 715 Amelia Church Road is a 32,000-square-foot facility that serves as the anchor for most town recreation programs. No membership is required to register for classes or use the drop-in amenities, which makes it an easy add-on for new residents still learning their way around.
The facility includes a full-size gymnasium that hosts basketball, volleyball, and pickleball; an indoor walking track with windows overlooking the surrounding trees; a fitness room with cardio and strength equipment; and dedicated art and pottery classrooms. The calendar of programs rotates seasonally, so there is always something new to try — from Toddler Read & Play story times to pottery workshops and Adult Open Gym nights.
For Portofino families, the Community Center is about a 7-minute drive from the gate. It is the kind of resource that makes a tangible difference in daily life: indoor play space on rainy afternoons, basketball leagues for older kids, and art classes that give parents a creative outlet too.
Youth Sports Leagues: Soccer, T-Ball, Volleyball, and More
Clayton Parks and Recreation runs seasonal youth athletics programs that are well-organized, affordable, and focused on participation over competition for the younger age groups. Registration happens online through the town's website, and game schedules are published through Teamsideline.
Fall youth athletics (registration opens in late summer) include:
- Youth Co-Ed Soccer for ages 4-5 and 6-7 — a gentle introduction to team sports with an emphasis on fundamentals and fun.
- Girls Volleyball for elementary and middle school ages.
Spring youth athletics (registration opens in late winter) include:
- T-Ball — the classic entry point for young sluggers.
- Softball and Baseball for older youth players.
The Journey League is a basketball program now in its third season, designed to help young athletes grow their skills in a structured, supportive environment. It has become one of the most popular programs in the Clayton rec system and regularly fills up quickly after registration opens.
For Portofino families, the proximity of East Clayton Community Park — where most outdoor games are held — is a major convenience. At 1774 Glen Laurel Road, it is roughly 10 minutes from the Portofino gate, meaning Saturday morning soccer games are a quick car ride rather than a production.
East Clayton Community Park: Disc Golf, Turf Fields, and Harmony Playground
East Clayton Community Park is the town's largest and most versatile recreation facility. Opened in phases over the past several years, the park now includes:
- Artificial turf soccer and multipurpose fields — used for league games, practices, and casual pick-up play.
- A lighted baseball field with dugouts and bleachers.
- A walking trail that loops the park perimeter, good for stroller walks or family bike rides.
- An 18-hole disc golf course — free to play, open dawn to dusk, and a hit with tweens and teens looking for a low-cost hobby that gets them outside.
- A batting cage for baseball and softball practice.
- Picnic shelters with grills, reservable for birthday parties and family gatherings.
- Harmony Playground — an inclusive, accessible playground designed for children of all abilities, with ramps, sensory play elements, and plenty of shade.
The disc golf course, in particular, is worth noting. It is free, self-guided, and draws a regular crowd of players ranging from beginners to experienced locals. A starter set of discs costs around $30 at Play It Again Sports on US-70, and the course at East Clayton is beginner-friendly enough that kids as young as 8 or 9 can enjoy it with adult guidance.
Municipal Park Splash Pad
For hot summer days when the Portofino community pool is not quite what the kids have in mind, the Municipal Park Splash Pad at 325 McCullers Drive is a free alternative that requires very little effort. The splash pad operates daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer season, with water jets, spray arches, and ground fountains that younger children especially love.
The park has benches and shade trees, making it easy to keep an eye on kids while enjoying a few minutes of quiet. It is a 10-minute drive from Portofino and pairs well with a walk through downtown Clayton afterward. Nearby, the town also maintains tennis courts, pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and bocce ball — enough variety to keep active families busy without leaving town.
Camp Clayton and School-Age Programs
During summer break, Camp Clayton offers a structured day camp experience for children who have completed kindergarten through rising 5th graders. The camp runs multiple sessions throughout the summer, with a mix of outdoor activities, field trips, arts and crafts, and swimming. Registration opens in the spring and fills up quickly, so Portofino families moving in over the summer should plan ahead.
For younger children, the Community Center also offers Toddler Read & Play and Preschool Read & Play — story time and age-appropriate play sessions that require registration but are an excellent way for new residents to meet other families with young children. The Early Explorers Lab provides a more structured hands-on program for toddlers and preschoolers, and Build Club invites kids to create with bricks, tiles, and blocks in a guided setting.
These programs are a genuine benefit for families relocating to Clayton from out of state. They provide immediate social connection points and structured activity options that make the transition to a new community smoother for both parents and kids.
Seasonal Events the Whole Family Enjoys
Clayton's Parks and Recreation Department also runs a calendar of seasonal events that have become traditions for local families:
- Fourth of July Celebration — Fireworks, live music, food trucks, and family activities at Municipal Park.
- Boo Bash — A Halloween-themed community event with trunk-or-treat, games, and costume contests.
- Main Street Trick-or-Treat — Downtown businesses open their doors for safe, daytime trick-or-treating.
- Merry Municipal Hot Cocoa with Santa — December tradition at the Community Center.
Most events are free or low-cost and located within a 10- to 15-minute drive of Portofino. They are an easy way for new residents to plug into the community without a big time commitment.
How This Connects to Life at 297 Bonaventure Dr
A four-bedroom home on a half-acre lot in a gated community is the starting point. What makes 297 Bonaventure Dr a genuine family home is what sits around it: a town recreation system that offers affordable youth sports leagues, a 32,000-square-foot community center with year-round programs, an accessible splash pad for hot afternoons, and an 18-hole disc golf course that keeps older kids engaged without screens.
Inside the Portofino gates, the community already provides two resort-style pools, over 7 miles of nature trails, and direct access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Neuse River Greenway. Add Clayton's municipal programs on top of that, and you have a lifestyle where kids can play soccer on Saturday, disc golf on Sunday, swim at the community pool on Monday, and splash at the park on Tuesday — all without a long drive.
The screened-in porch at 297 Bonaventure Dr overlooks a private wooded backyard that is the perfect endpoint to those active days. After practice, after the splash pad, after a round of disc golf — there is a quiet place to sit, unwind, and enjoy the evening.
Ready to see how this home fits your family's lifestyle? Schedule a private tour or call Phil Slezak at 919-899-2320 to book a consultation.
Phil leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas — with over $100 million in sales.