Walk, Run or Bike… It’s Time to Get Active as the City of Durham

There's no better time to enjoy the great outdoors in Durham than the present.  Getting back to nature is just a trail run, walk or ride away.

This Thursday, April 4, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the City of Durham will kick off the 2013 trail season with a “Our Trails, Our Town” event to launch the 2013 Trail Season at American Tobacco Trail at the corner of Morehead Avenue and Blackwell Street.  The program will kick-off with Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez and City Councilman Steve Schewel.

Fast Facts:

• Meet City of Durham employees and Trail Watch volunteers and organizations who use the trails to promote health activity, as well as security, for all who use Durham trails. A brief program will be provided along with special activities, including a non-competitive walk, bike tune ups, information booths, food vendors, and volunteer trail watch recruitment.
• Several improvements, including cameras, signage, and maintenance, have been made over the past few months aimed at helping trail users enjoy Durham trails even more.
• Event partners include the American Tobacco Campus, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., and the Durham Bulls along with participating groups REI, Trips for Kids-Triangle, East Coast Greenway Alliance, and Active Feet.
• For more information click here. 

About Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation provides opportunities for the Durham community to “Play More.” Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, we strive to help residents discover, explore and enjoy life through creative and challenging recreational choices that contribute to their physical, emotional and social health. To learn more visit www.DPRPlayMore.org, call (919) 560-4355, or “like” on Facebook.

For more information about Durham, visit this website.

Old North Durham Park Construction Set to Begin

There are lots of ways to get out and enjoy some fresh air in Durham.  The local parks here are award winning, and now one of those parks is getting even better.

Old North Durham Park is set to get a face lift beginning next month, which will close the park until August and impact vehicle traffic around the park.

Located at 310 W. Geer St., the park will receive infrastructure improvements to the athletic field, the installation of sod on the 310’ x 170’ athletic/multi-use field, among other things.

New site amenities will include a paved sidewalk into the park from Foster Street, a new drinking fountain, new trash receptacles, and new trees at the periphery of the field to replace existing trees that will be removed during construction.

Construction is set to begin in early February, which will close the park until August, and result in partial lane closures on portions of Foster Street and West Geer Street until early March as the new storm drainage pipes are installed. By mid-summer the improvements within the park should be completed, but the park will need to remain closed until August to allow for the grow-in period for the new sod on the athletic field.

An Assist from Sprite Helps Elmira Avenue Park Get Back in the Game

Durhamites are notoriously proud of their place, and fierce defenders of its assets. Now through May 31st, they can put their pride into action. Local residents can help transform a well-used neighborhood basketball court in Durham into a refreshed play space where teens can showcase their athletic abilities.

This spring, through the Sprite Spark Parks Project, Sprite and the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA) are giving people an opportunity to get their local courts back in the game. The basketball court at Elimira Avenue Park (540 Elmira Avenue) in Durham has been selected as one of 25 courts nationwide to be refreshed through the program, and local residents can show their support and raise funds by voting online.

With the help of the NRPA, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people, Sprite identified Elmira Avenue Park as one of 25 parks to receive a grant designated to revamp basketball courts. Each of the selected courts, which are located in public parks throughout the nation, will receive funding based on the number of votes they earn through May 31st.

Visitors can vote for Elmira Avenue Park by submitting the My Coke Rewards codes found on Sprite and Sprite Zero Fridge Pack™, 20-pack, 24-pack, 20 oz. and 2-liter products. Sprite will donate $275,000 to be distributed among the 25 parks in grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The funds will be used to refurbish rims, backboards, lights, benches and playing surfaces – sparking new life to these courts.

“We are excited that Sprite identified Elmira Avenue Park as one of the 25 parks to receive a grant to enhance its basketball courts,” said Rhonda B. Parker, director of Durham Parks and Recreation. “We are always looking to provide opportunities for our community to Play More with DPR!”

Durham Farmers' Market Weekly Report

Tomorrow the Durham Farmers' Market's WINTER HOURS begin!!  From this Saturday through the end of March, the Market will be every week from 10am to Noon - market will be open on Saturday Dec. 24th & Dec. 31st!  With the new winter hours notice that a few other things change, too.

First, the Market starts with the Opening Bell.  The bell will ring promptly at 10am. Vendors can start selling their goods when the bell rings, but not before.  Early window shopping is encouraged.

Second, during the winter all of the vendors are in the Pavilion (there may be some in the gravel to the north of the Pavilion).  There are no vendors in the street during the wintertime and the street is open -- except this week, see below.  Some vendors are in new spaces during the winter.  If you have any trouble finding your favorite vendors, go to the info table and they'll point you in the right direction.

Finally, because this is an all local Market, the selection of products is a little different in the winter.  Meats, eggs, cheeses and crafts will still be abundant, but the produce selection is different than the selection in the summer.  During the winter, look for lots of greens - cooking greens, salad greens, Asian greens, LOTS of greens; root vegetables - like carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, radishes;  Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Fennel will be abundantly available in December and March;  special winter vegetables and vegetables that can be stored well, including winter squash, pumpkins, Jerusalem artichokes, dried herbs; and a few green house grown specialties like tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans! 
Eating locally, supporting farmers and the local economy means changing menus with the season.  Favorite winter recipes will be shared throughout the winter. 

Tomorrow, the Durham's Parks and Recreation Department will hold its first annual Holiday Fun Fest, the replacement for the Holiday Parade.  The Fun Fest will take place in Durham Central Park from 2-6pm.  In order to be ready to start the fun at 2pm, Parks & Rec will be working on setting up the Fun Fest during the Market hours.  They will be setting up in the other side of the park & in the street.

So, for tomorrow only, Foster Street will be CLOSED from Hunt to Corporation during Market hours.  The street closure will be exactly the same as it is during our regular summer hours.  After this week, Foster Street will be open every week while winter hours are in effect.

Fresh this Week....

Fruit: Asian Persimmons
Vegetables:   FENNEL! Asian Greens (Tatsoi, Bok Choy, Mizuna), Arugula,  Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Cress, Collards, Cucumbers, Dried Herbs, Dried Shiitakes, Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions,  Gourds,  Jerusalem Artichokes, Mustard Greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Peppers (sweet & hot), Potatoes,  Pumpkins, Radishes, Salad Mix, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes (red and green), Turnips, Turnip Greens, Vitamin Greens, Winter Squash (Butternut, Spaghetti, Acorn)
Meats: Cornish Game Hens, Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork.  Look for whole cuts, sausages, hot dogs, jerky, liver pate and more!
Flowers & Plants: A few Anemones - come early!, Holiday Greenery and Wreaths, Landscaping Plants
And: Raw Honey, Pecans, Chicken and Duck Eggs, Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits,  Wines, Fresh and Aged Goats and Cows Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods, Pasta, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Raw Wool,
Crafts: Jewelery, Yarn, Pottery, Hand-printed Cards, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps and much more...

KaBOOM! Names Durham Among 151 “Playful City USA” Communities

For the third year in a row, Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) has been recognized by KaBOOM! as a Playful City USA for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children.

The City of Durham was selected because of its outstanding dedication to play and its joint-use agreement with Durham Public Schools to enable public access to additional play spaces. The Board of Education and City Council adopted the agreement, which will go into effect this fall.  

“We are excited about receiving this designation again this year,” said Rhonda Parker, director of DPR. “Not only does it mean that we are doing a great job providing opportunities for our youth to play, but it makes us eligible to receive funding for outdoor recreation.”

Elsewhere in North Carolina, Albemarle, Creedmoor, Greenville, Hickory, and Mount Holly were also selected as Playful City USA communities.

The 151 Playful City USA communities are now eligible for grants via Let’s Play - a community partnership led by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group to get kids active nationwide. The first Let’s Play initiative is a $15 million, three-year commitment to KaBOOM!. Together, through Let’s Play, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America.

Recipients of 2011 Let’s Play grants via the Playful City USA program will be announced on Monday, Sept. 19. A total of 103 grants worth $2.1 million are available to Playful City USA recognized cities and towns between 2011-13. Grants range in values of $30,000, $20,000 and $15,000. The $30,000 and $15,000 grants are available for projects relating to joint-use agreements and the $20,000 grants will be awarded to cities using the community playground build process. Cities also are eligible to receive multiple grants during the three-year period. Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, a member of the leadership circle within the KaBOOM! National Partner Program, is providing the funding for the grants. 

American Tobacco Trail Bridge Construction to Move Forward

Durham is exceptionally fortunate with regards to public parks, trails and spaces for outdoor activity...and now it seems to be getting moreso.

Following discussion at its August 4, 2011 work session meeting, the Durham City Council remains committed to completing the American Tobacco Trail and bridge, despite the more than $2 million difference between July bids and earlier projected construction costs.

According to City Manager Tom Bonfield, the project is a priority for the City because of its strategic location, “serving as a major and heavily used north-south route for pedestrians and bicyclists. The construction of the new section would also carry the trail to the commercial sector south of U.S. Interstate 40 and to several neighborhoods in southern Durham.”

The Public Works Department, responsible for construction of the bridge and trail, recommends that the entire project be completed, but in two phases, in order to identify needed funding. According to Director Marvin Williams, construction would begin with part of the trail from N.C. Highway 54 and include the new bridge over U.S. Interstate 40, using existing funding of $5.8 million, with the project being awarded to low bidder during the July process. Additional funds of about $800,000 would be obtained using existing funds designated for other projects. A contract will be recommended to City Council for approval within 30 days.

A later contract would be issued for the remainder of the trail, south of U.S. Interstate 40 to the Chatham County line.  The Public Works Department has recommended approaching the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to consider reprioritizing funding currently authorized for sidewalks and bike lanes. Both the MPO and the N.C. Department of Transportation would have to agree, and the process would likely take about six months. Even though the second contract would be awarded nearly a year following the contract for the bridge, both projects might likely be completed at the same time due to the time needed to construct the bridge.

Since MPO funding typically comes as an 80/20 match, approximately $3 million would be needed from the MPO and about $760,000 from the City. More information about the source of the funding and construction needs will be forthcoming following a more detailed analysis.

More information about this project can be found here.

Fun Times with the Kids in the Bull City

Durham has a lot to offer those that live, work and visit here.  It is a town with incredible diversity in population, cuisine, and activity, and there are many ways to enjoy the place where great things happen.

Here is a list of some of the options for those visiting Durham with children tow.  Durham's official visitor website has all the information available on things to do for all types of visitor.  Be sure to visit the site as plans to come to Durham take shape.

So, on to the specifics...

Free family activities

Durham Farmers’ Market – Located in Durham Central Park, the Market offers "The Durham Home Fries" a weekly kids-only cooking series throughout the summer.

Music on the Lawn – Hosted by American Tobacco, this family friendly music series runs throughout the summer and features some of music’s most beloved Back Porch Music acts.

Third Friday Art Walk – Free gallery crawl with live music and other performances throughout Durham the third Friday of each month.

Movies in the Park – Durham Central Park hosts a free outdoors, summer film series; the screen hangs from the Farmers’ Market Pavilion. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Shows start at dark. 

Summer activities for families:

Lemur Center - Research and study center housing 260 prosimian primates, the largest population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar. Guided walking tour & inside viewing of nocturnal prosimians with unique sound experience by appointment only.

Museum of Life & Science - Preserved natural setting home to black bears, red wolves, and lemurs. Natural observation areas, 750-foot boardwalk, outdoor microscopes, and field cameras look into this dynamic natural landscape, its wildlife, plant life, and supporting habitats. Included with admission to the Museum of Life and Science.

Wheel’s Family Fun Park - 8 1/2 acre park full of family fun. Attractions include roller skating, go-karts, mini-golf, play gym, batting cages and more.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park - The Durham Bulls are the Triple-A Baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The team plays 144 games per season, 72 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, overlooking historic Downtown Durham and designed by the architects of Camden Yards.

The Scrap Exchange - Among the Scrap Exchange's offerings are kid-friendly workshops and parties. The creative reuse center promotes creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.

Favorite family parks:

Rock Quarry Park – Home to three picnic facilities, a playground, a large rec center, soccer fields, a spray ground, eight tennis courts, and a baseball field.

Durham Central Park – Arts-themed, community-focused, municipal park in downtown Durham.

West Point on the Eno – Located along the Eno River, the park features a reconstructed 1778 working grist mill with cornmeal for sale, the historic McCown-Mangum House dating to the mid-1800s, the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography, hiking trails, and amphitheater.

Eno River State Park – Enjoy bird-watching, canoeing/rafting, fishing, hiking, and picnic shelters within 3,900 acres of secluded wilderness along the banks of the Eno River.

American Tobacco Trail - 12 miles of trails from Downtown Durham to NC Hwy 54, then from Massey Chapel Rd to Durham/Chatham County line - perfect for bicycling, hiking, walking, and running.

Duke Forrest - 7,060-acre teaching and research forest of Duke University with a variety of ecosystems represented. Preserved for research and recreation since the 1930s. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnics permitted.

City Parks and State Parks - Durham boasts more than 60 city parks and state parks.

For additional information, see the Community Event Calendar for a list of all upcoming family-friendly events in the place where great things happen.

Bimbe Cultural Arts Festival Wins National Recognition

Durham Parks and Recreation has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2011 Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award for the success of the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival, a community-wide celebration of African and African American culture, history and traditions. Awarded by the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA), the Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities program honors the most innovative and effective arts and humanities programs across the nation. The Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival has been a signature event in Durham since 1969.

Accolades, rankings and other interesting tidbits are posted daily in Where Great Things Happen. Sign up to receive these updates as they happen, or in a daily digest by visiting here and clicking "Get DNS - Where Great Things Happen delivered by email" or by subscribing through your web-based reader.

Downtown Durham Dog Park Emblematic of Emotionally Connected City

This week, The Infrastructurist cited Durham as a model for the ‘Emotionally Connected’ city. The article, largely based around findings from the Gallup Soul of the Community survey from 2008 to 2010, points to a link between passion for and loyalty to places, and the health of the local economy.

The article indicates Marry Durham as the example of an emotionally committed community. Engaged citizens gathered to make a formal commitment to make sacrifices, do more, forgive shortcomings and fight to create a community Durhamites desire. 

In the wake of Marry Durham, a neighborhood has joined forces to make use of a sloping, city-owned lot at the corner of Roxboro and Elliot that had been vacant for years. The Downtown Durham Dog Park was born out of a temporary arrangement between the Cleveland-Holloway neighborhood and the city by which the city allowed use of the land and put up a fence while the neighborhood association is responsible for other amenities and maintenance.

With the help of Keep Durham Beautiful and a neighborhood-wide clean up effort, the Downtown Durham Dog Park is now open to the public. Remember that before visiting the park, owners will need to obtain a tag for their dog, issued by the City. Contact Durham Parks and Rec for more information.

Durham's 2011 Earth Day Festival

On Sunday, May 1, residents can “go green” and attend a day filled with an eclectic mix of music, entertainment, green products, art, and hands‐on environmental education at the 2011 Durham Earth Day Festival. This annual event will be held in downtown from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. at Durham Central Park (502 Foster St.) and is sponsored by Durham Parks and Recreation and Keep Durham Beautiful in partnership with Bull City Open Streets.

New this year, Bull City Open Streets will close the streets surrounding the Earth Day Festival to promote biking, walking, and physical activities. The tradition of closing streets began in Bogota, Colombia where every Sunday, 70 miles of Bogota’s streets were closed for traffic and opened for pedestrian activities. American cities from New York to San Francisco now enjoy regular open streets events. Durham is the first city in North Carolina to host an event of this kind. Event organizers want to promote health, community, environmental awareness and downtown’s economic growth.

Children will enjoy the Kids Zone, featuring hands‐on environmental activities including crafts, environmental and science activities, and the annual Durham Earth Day Parade. In addition, Home Depot will offer workshops to teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety.

Teens and adults of all ages will enjoy the music and dance performances at the Main Stage. At the Eco-Lounge, participants can relax and learn what local environmental groups are doing to preserve and enhance the future and health of our community.

This year’s Sustainability Expo will feature an exciting array of businesses, artists, non‐profit, educational, and government agencies that will share information and resources about all aspects of “going green.” Home Depot’s “At Home Services” will also be on hand to share home energy tips.

Festival goers can shop at the Earth Art Market for green products, crafts, and art. The Shred Truck and E-Waste Recycling will be on-site to dispose of your old computers, TVs, and other electronic equipment with cords for free. Want to shred your confidential documents and recycle them? Bring t hem to the festival to be shredded.

Durham’s Lakes Open for the Season this Week

On Thursday, March 17, Lake Michie and Little River Lake will officially open for the season on the following schedule:

• March 17 - May 29 (open four days per week)

Thursday - Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Open Monday, April 25 and May 30

• June 3 - August 28 (open three days per week)

Friday - Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Open Monday, July 4

• September 2 - November 13 (open three days per week)

Friday – Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Open Monday, September 5

Lake Michie offers some of the finest large mouth bass fishing in the Piedmont. Participants may rent a city boat or launch their own boat for a relaxing day of fishing. For more information call (919) 477-3906.

Little River Lake includes boating and fishing facilities and offers bank fishing as well as electric motor and rowboat rentals. The facility is located at the intersection of Orange Factory Road and Blalock Road in Northern Durham County. For more information call (919) 477-7889.

Special Note: Little River is a primary water supply for the City of Durham. For this reason, Durham Parks and Recreation may limit and/or control recreational activities at the lake. Privately owned boats and motors are not permitted on the lake.

For more information and rates, call (919) 471-1623 or the lake boathouse (919) 477-7889.

Durham Parks and Recreation provides opportunities for the Durham community to “Play More.” The department strives to help citizens discover, explore and enjoy life through creative and challenging recreational choices that contribute to their physical, emotional and social health. For more information call (919) 560-4355 or visit http://www.dprplaymore.org/.

Performance Summer Camp for Youth

The Oscars have come and gone, but Durham’s young people can hone their acting skills at the Durham Family Theatre Summer Performance Camps. Each 3-week camp session is designed to enhance participants’ skill at acting, directing, costume design, set creation, and theatre sound and lighting.

But, more importantly every participant is guaranteed to play a part, have a great time, and come away enriched with new friends. At the end of each session, the student play will be shown to the public for two performances. Visit the Durham Family Theatre website for more information.

There are many other interesting summer camp options in Durham.  For a glimpse at a few of the other options, check out Durham Parks and Recreation, Piedmont Wildlife Center, Elodie Farms, and the soon to be completed Levin Jewish Community Center which accepts children from all faith environments.