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News you can use from Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation

Welcome to Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation's Inspire, Create and Preserve Blog. We’re so happy you are here!

Inspire-Create-Preserve is our chance to share with you how we continue to keep Chapel Hill highly regarded for its quality of life through providing parks, greenways, recreation programs and facilities for resident and visitors to enjoy. The name of this page mirrors Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation’s vision statement which is to Inspire, Create and Preserve.

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This Week in TOWNnews: Estes Drive Roll & Stroll, Rosemary Parking Deck, and Skatepark Redesign

Next week, the town will be buzzing with excitement as CHCCS students return to classrooms! This issue starts with some back-to-school road safety tips and a reminder about our Roll & Stroll Block Party on Saturday.

Post Date:08/22/2024 4:08 PM

August 22, 2024

Next week, the town will be buzzing with excitement as CHCCS students return to classrooms! This issue starts with some back-to-school road safety tips and a reminder about our Roll & Stroll Block Party on Saturday. After that, we share breaking news about the Rosemary Parking Deck opening, the date and time for the NCDEQ 828 Site Brownfields Public Meeting, and unveil the redesign of the Town’s skatepark at Homestead Park. And don’t forget that the Friends of the Library Big Book Sale is this weekend. Read on and learn more about…

Welcome Back CHCCS Students, Teachers, and Staff!

Monday is the first day back for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools students. Whether you're walking, biking, riding the bus, or driving to school, give yourself extra time as you adjust to a new routine.

The Guardians of the Hill have a refresher for all of us on what to do if you're on the road with a stopped school bus. Also, expect to see officers in and around school zones next week. Learn more here.

Regardless of what school you’re going back to, be sure to join us Saturday at the Estes Drive Roll & Stroll!

The Rosemary Street Parking Deck Opens Monday

The new parking deck at 125 E. Rosemary Street opens Monday. As with any construction project, there’s still a punch list of things to complete – so expect to see some areas still being finished. This deck adds about 1,000 spaces to downtown, just in time for cooler fall weather and Tar Heel football!

Date, Time Set for Brownfields Public Meeting

The NCDEQ public meeting regarding the draft Brownfields Agreement for 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. is set for Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 pm in Meeting Room B at Chapel Hill Public Library. NCDEQ will share more details soon, but here are a few important things to know:

There will be a presentation, followed by a public comment period
In-person attendees will be able to make comments
Comments may be limited to two minutes, depending on the number of commenters
The meeting can be viewed via a streaming link, but no comments can be made virtually

You can access the agreement by entering project number 23022-19-068 into the search bar on this page of the NCDEQ website.

Homestead Skatepark Redesign, Renovation Moves Ahead

The project to redesign and renovate the Town’s skatepark at Homestead Park is moving ahead. This week, Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation staff are sharing renderings and requesting construction bids. The Town expects construction to begin in mid- to late-2025. Read more here.

Traffic Alert: Friday Morning Delays on W. Franklin St.

Friday, between 4am and 11am, a small section of W. Franklin Street will be down to one lane in both directions in front of the 411 West restaurant. Crews will repair the road following work on a sewer line. Flaggers will direct traffic around the lane closure. You should expect delays and consider using W. Rosemary Street as an alternate route.

Stock Up on Bargain Books at the Big Book Sale

Whether you hit up the members-only sale on Friday, Aug. 23 or the $10 bag sale on Sunday, Aug. 5, we know you'll have fun picking out great books at great prices all while supporting the library. If you can't make this month's Big Book Sale you can shop anytime online at the Friends Online Book Store.

Say Hello to Our Arts & Culture Award Winners

Seven non-profits are making big impacts with our Community Arts & Culture award s. From art therapy to oral history and artist-led workshops, these folks are inspiring creativity and celebrating community while fostering inclusion, experience, and understanding.

Be an EZ Rider Advocate

Do you have a passion for making sure Chapel Hill Transit is serving the needs of people with disabilities? As a member of our EZ Rider Advisory Board, you'll recommend changes to EZ Rider and Fixed-Route service procedures or policies. You'll review budgets and grants, talk to people with disabilities about the services, and offer a forum for the community to share their thoughts.

Learn More and Apply

Apply for 2024 Festifall Arts Markets

Sell your art, goods, and wares at Chapel Hill's annual arts markets this fall. Artists and artisans of all kinds are welcome to apply and participate for free. Join us Oct. 26 (Carolina Day) and Nov. 2 (Dia de los Muertos).

Apply by August 26 at 5 p.m.

Artist Call! Artistic Bus Ceiling Designs

Create 2D artwork to adorn Chapel Hill Transit bus ceilings. $100 goes to each of six finalists for their proposals. Three selected artists/teams will each receive a $700 stipend. Interested, 18+, and live within 40 miles of Chapel Hill?

Apply by August 28 at 5 p.m.

Become Chapel Hill's Next Poet Laureate

Do you strive to inspire creativity and celebrate community through poems, public programs, and shared poetry experiences? Apply to be our next Poet Laureate. If you're selected, you'll receive a total stipend of $6,000 during your tenure from Jan. 2025 to Dec. 2026. Apply by Mon., Sept. 9 at 5 p.m.