Duke Park Shop
Neighborhood Photos
DPNA Meeting Minutes
Board Meeting
March 2, 2005
Wayne Allen in London Marathon
Barry Ragin received an email from former DPNA president Wayne Allen saying that he is raising money for a charity sponsor in order to enter the London marathon. Barry will ask for Wayne’s permission to post an article/link on the listserv and website to help him raise money.
Earth Day Cleanup at Duke Park
Andrew Preiss has scheduled an Earth Day (April 23) park cleanup with general services. There will be trucks, etc. provided by the city to remove debris from the ravine. Some of the fallen trees are habitat; we will need to review/tag them with an expert beforehand so that we don’t pull good stuff. Frank Hyman’s name was suggested. This would be a good opportunity to show cooperation with the city. We will promote this event at the spring potluck, April 14.
Around the Town Newsletter
Claire Doyle will start on the newsletter next week. We will aim for delivery first weekend of April.
INC School Impact Fee Resolution
The Inter-Neighborhood Council is floating a School Impact Fee. Counties cannot level impact fees without permission from the state. Several other counties have obtained permission. Durham had an impact fee last year, but had not obtained permission from the state, so it had to rescind the fee because of a superior court ruling. The INC resolution requests that the county go to the state legislature to ask for permission. Board agreed to support the resolution.
Railroad Right of Way
Barry received a letter from county commissioner Ellen Reckhow. The RR company (Norfolk & Southern?) has decided not to use the tracks that border our neighborhood. The county has the opportunity to purchase the RR land for rails-to-trails. Barry suspects that pledging support for this project may mean that we will be requested to help with fundraising. Duke Park Preservation Initiative (DPPI) owns the acreage where the RR tracks cross Roxboro. DPPI is not currently active, but the organization could be revived in order to work on this project. DPPI is a 501-3(c). Barry will write something on this issue for the spring newsletter.
Duke Park Sign
The estimate from Andrew for construction of the neighborhood sign is $1500. Some volunteer labor would be required for the installation. Board debated whether this was too expensive or not. Pros cited were neighborhood pride, using work by a neighborhood artist, a sign that is unique from other signs in the city, good public relations value to the city, other neighborhoods, potential residents (real estate value). The only downside noted was the price and whether a small wood sign would be cheaper. However, there is enough money in the till to afford the $1500. It was agreed that the best location is the DPPI property on Roxboro by the RR tracks. Carol Donin proposed that we pay supplies up front and the remainder on completion, just to stretch out the payments, or otherwise pay in 2-3 installments. Board agreed to accept the estimate. Next steps: Barry will meet with Andrew to firm up a contract, schedule, etc.
Farmer’s Market Pavilion
Katherine O’Brien will be doing some fundraising on her own. Barry also proposed dedicating the profits from the yard sale to this project. Reaction was mixed: there are several competing fundraising requests right now, and the pavilion donation ($2500 if we split it with Old North Durham) is very expensive. Barry proposed having Katherine present a pitch at next week’s general meeting. No action was taken.
Erwin Area Neighborhood Group
There is a tract of land that is part of Duke Forest that is slated for sale to a developer. The EANG is trying to keep it from being developed, and have requested that Orange and Durham counties join together to buy the land, which straddles the county border and the Durham/Chapel Hill city borders. A neighbor will also put their land under a conservation easement if the land is purchased for a park. Randy Pickle of Forest Hills Neighborhood Association is challenging all Durham neighborhoods to assist in raising money for this. City of Durham is the most reluctant of the four government bodies. Barry proposes putting information on the website and the listserv so that people can donate if they would like. Barry proposes matching the first $250 in donations (Barry would need to see if the donations can be tracked*). EANG needs to raise the money by early April or the land will be developed. The government bodies are looking to the citizens to show support before they will act. Barry proposed sending a letter from the DPNA board. Carol proposed having an auto-email link to the City Council and County Commissioners. A motion was passed to put a link on the website urging contributions, and send an email to the listserv, and that the DPNA would match the first $250 in contributions.
*As of this posting, the EANG is tracking donations made through their website. You just enter the name of your neighborhood association in the form when you pledge your donation.
Traffic Calming:
Barry sent out minutes from a meeting of several neighorhood representatives and downtown organizations who are concerned with traffic in downtown and the surrounding corridors (Duke, Gregson, the downtown loop, Roxboro, Avondale, Washington). Pedestrian safety and traffic calming are the main concerns. The group generated a document that is currently circulating for revisions. The document consists of a vision statement for the downtown area as well as specifics about certain streets, intersections, problems and suggested solutions. Barry suggests taking the vision statement section of the document and turning it into a media handout. Downtown representativess are supporting neighborhood initiatives (e.g., traffic calming) even if it conflicts with their own needs (e.g., getting people downtown quickly). The key areas for Duke Park are the Markham/Magnum/Roxboro intersection, Washington St. and Glendale Ave. According to current city plans, Washington will connect with other arteries through downtown straight through to South Roxboro, which goes to the south side of town. So this has the potential to become a heavily travelled street.
This group is also talking about staging a media event, people holding signs telling people to slow down.
Bathhouse Renovations
The bathrooms are being renovated! The work order has been signed. The bathrooms will be cleaned, working locks installed, plumbing repaired, etc. It is not clear yet who will maintain it, keep it stocked with toilet paper, etc.
Getting the bathhouse fully renovated will require groups wanting to use it. There was discussion about groups that might want to use it. The Ellerbee Creek Association would be interested in using the bathhouse but don’t want to lead the effort. Pam suggested starting a teen center. Edison Johnson, Forest Hills Park building were suggested as models. The bathhouse needs major renovation and does not have heat or air conditioning.
Park Renovations
The meadow will have a real drainage system installed, akin to what is used on sports fields.