Neighborhood news
Board notes, project updates, and community announcements
Stay current on what the association is discussing, how you can get involved, and which projects are moving forward.
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Our Next Neighborhood Association Meeting
Join us on Google Meet the second Wednesday of each month
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13th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant Returns to the Duke Park Meadow
It's once again time for the Annual Beaver Queen Pageant! The pageant is in its 13th year and will be held Saturday, June 3rd in the meadow at Duke Park (Acadia at Knox Street). Pre-pageant activities begin at 4pm, and pageant starts at 5pm. The theme for this year’s pageant is “The Wizard of Gnawz!” This free event is a hit with kids of all ages due to the outrageous costumes and audience engagement.
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Bill Anderson Pavillion Fundraiser
The Parks and Rec department has submitted the design plan for the remodel of the Bill Anderson pavilion (the old bath house) for budget review. This is the first step toward actually getting the project funded. In our conversations with Tom Dawson of P&R, he has made it clear that the City Council is much more likely to fund a project where there is neighborhood support. That is where you (and your checkbook) come in. Our goal is to raise $10,000 in the neighborhood, which is a small fraction of the total cost, but which if we can raise it will be politically important. More detailed fundraising ideas and grant possibilities are being developed. Stay tuned for those. But the Board is sending this out now with the hope of getting the ball rolling. Pledges and checks will be gratefully accepted. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the Duke Park Preservation Initiative, our 501(c)(3) arm. Mail them to Daniel Read, DPPI treasurer, 1424 Acadia Street, 27701.
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It’s Tree Banding Time
Those little green canker worms/inchworms LOVE to eat willow oak leaves. Many of our older oaks are at or past their peak, so any additional stress is dangerous for them. That is why it is time to put out tree bands, those sticky bands that trap the females as they go up into the canopy to lay the eggs. (Even what looks like a crummy job, like I did last year, will still catch a lot of bugs.) City arborist Alex Johnson recommends putting up the bands up when 90% of the leaves have fallen or before the first hard frost, whichever comes first.
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Spring Newsletter is out
Download the latest Around The Park neighborhood newsletter for Spring 2016.
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Mangum-Markham-Roxboro Plan Unveiled
The two intersections and block (100 East Markham) that make up this complicated and dangerous part of our neighborhood have been the subject of discussion and concern for along time. Since the street is part of US 15-501 it is controlled by state Department of Transportation. The City will fund the improvements but they have to be apporved by the State. The primary goals of the new design were to reduce traffic speed and increase safety for pedestrians.
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Parks and Rec Survey On Conversion of Bathhouse Into Pavilion
DP&R held a forum at the Park June 25 on the proposed conversion of the old bath house into a pavilion. This is getting serious; the City has architects and landscape designers working on plans. If you missed the meeting and would like to express your wishes, Parks & Rec created the attached survey. Drop it off at DP&R downtown or email it to Beth.Timson@durhamnc.gov.
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Duke Park restrooms now open
The restroom facilities at Duke Park are now open.
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Historic District Designation - Why?
Historic district designation has become an important tool for state and local governments in efforts to preserve the character of central-city neighborhoods. Designations convey more prestige to an individual property or historic district, deter unsightly new building, and make federal and state tax breaks available to owners of individually listed properties.
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Duke Park Improvements
The new restroom building that was set in place in Duke Park on Jan 24 will be open for use by the end of March. To be completed in March are final utility and electric connections, accessible walkways connecting the building to the existing sidewalks, and fine grading and seeding in the construction zone. The building is a pre-fabricated fully concrete structure from CXT Inc. – 4 inch thick steel reinforced walls and 5 inch thick steel reinforced roof – with all stainless steel appliances inside.
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President's Letter
There is lot going on this spring:
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Edison Johnson Facilities- close to home
Edison Johnson Recreation and Aquatic Center is just up Duke street next to the Life and Science Museum and has a LOT to offer North Durham: Raquetball, basketball, lap swimming, adult and child swim lessons, group fitness classes, after school care, summer camp, a large playground, “teen nite” socializing, and coming soon… a fitness room with cardio and weight equipment! Edison Johnson is the perfect place for your family to get in shape and have fun!
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Updates!
The 2011 Night of Lights was a HUGE! success. Thanks to Sandi Gray-Terri for organizing and to all of the neighbors who participated. The set-up in the park was great fun with the UKE orchestra coming out to play carols for us. There is talk of making set-up of the park next year even more of a party!
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Ellerbe Creek Challenge
DPNA has issued a challenge to the neighborhood! If 25 people become members or renew their membership in the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, DPNA will donate $250 to ECWA! We only need 10 more people! ECWA works tremendously hard to clean up the creek that runs through our neighborhood. Their work impacts our lives in many ways, from reducing pollution in the creek to maintaining greenways for us to enjoy. Healthy green spaces improve the quality of urban living immeasurably!
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December 2011 Luminaria Sales
Sales for this years Night of Lights will the weekend of December 3/4th and the following weekend, the 10/11th. Sales will be at various locations around the neighborhood. Watch the listserve for times and locations. And- come on out to the park to help light the candles on the 11th! We start lighting about an hour before dark.
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Duke Park neighbor survey
Recently, the DPNA board sent out an informal survey to gather information about the concerns and wishes of residents regarding the neighborhood association.
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Sidewalks
Sidewalk Update- Sidewalk construction is about to begin. Phase one will be tree removal. If a tree is removed from in front of your house and you would like it replaced by the city at a small cost ($10) please contact Christine Westfall chwestfall@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a tree. Deadline for tree requests is Oct. 10, 2011.
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Fall dates
Fall dates- Duke Park Holiday Party is on Dec 2 at Ed and Karen Hubbell's home on Acadia street across from the park. We had a great time last year and Ed and Karen were wonderf...
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New DPNA Board
New DPNA board - New board members were elected at last months meeting. The 2012 board members are Dan Read (Pres), Danny Jones (secy), Brian Green (Treas), Bill Anderson, Ian Kipp, Esther Bent, Jon Strack, Joanne Andrews
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Beaver Lodge Fundraiser
The Duke Park Preservation Initiative (DPPI) has recently launched a new community-based fund in order to begin a stream of financing that will be added to existing funds as well as monies pledged by the City of Durham to help return the Beaver Lodge (aka, Duke Park bathhouse) to its former glory. DPPI is a 501(c)3 organization, meaning that your donation is tax-deductible. We ask that you make your check or money order payable to DPPI, then mail (or drop off) to:
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Sidewalks to Get Facelift
Markham Avenue sidewalk expansion has been a project in the City pipeline for longer than many care to remember. The DPNA Board is very near getting the makeover its fought for. Stay tuned for progress reports...
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DPNA Meeting Schedule
DPNA meetings occur on the second Tuesday of each month, except July, August and December. Board Meetings are held in even months; Association meetings (open to all Duke Park residents), in odd months. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the home of DPNA President Dan Read, 1424 Acadia Street, Durham, NC 27701. Meetings generally begin at 7pm.
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