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DPNA Meeting Minutes
May 12 , 2005
Present: Barry Ragin (President), Pam Campa (Treasurer) , David Eustice (Board Member-At-Large), Jessica Eustice (Substitute Secretary), Richard Mullinax (Housing Chair of Old North Durham Neighborhood Association), Andrew Preiss (DPNeighbor), Signe and John Offenberg (DPNeighbors), Ameilia Burch Shull (DPNeighbor), Andy Shull(DPNeighbor), Michelle Old (DPNeighbor), Sarah Dowdee (DPNeighbor), Daniel Clever (Treasurer: Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy)
1. Durham-Timberlake Rail Corridor project of the TRTC
Daniel Clever From the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy gave a presentation on the Durham-Timberlake Rail Corridor project of the TRTC and asked for support in the form of an email and letter-writing campaign. He explained that the group’s purpose is to take old rail corridors and get public protection to keep the infrastructure around for use as trails and possible future rail lines.
The TRTC started advocating for the American Tobacco Trail in the late 80’s. The American Tobacco Trail will eventually link 3 counties and stretch 22 miles. Their website is www.triangletrails.org. Contact information for local officials can be found there.
“The Norfolk – Southern wants to sell the Durham to Timberlake rail corridor. [This would connect to The American Tobacco Train and the North South Greenway to create a system that would be 40 miles long, and become part of the East Coast Greenway.] The cost has not been settled. (It is probably around $6-7 million.) NC DOT has agreed to pay 50% of the cost, but Durham County and the City of Durham must contribute 25% each for this project to be successful.
The County will finalize its budget this month. (May) The City will do so after June 6. This project will in part be funded by local bond. Federal Funds will help with the local match; Congressman Price has asked for about $2M. This appropriation still has to survive in Senate or conference committee.”
Barry Ragin mentioned that a joint OND and DPNA clean-up on our section of the rail corridor could help to support this project. He mentioned the model of preservation set recently by the Erwin Area Neighborhood Group, and asked if we in DPNA and OND could use a similar model to support TRTC.
Daniel Clever stated that if people wish to support the project, there will be an Open Space and Trails Committee meeting on June 6th.
Someone asked who and why do some folks not support the idea of preserving the rail corridors. Daniel Clever explained that some landowners would rather buy back the part of the corridor on their land than have a trail go through their land. This is usually related to the desire to preserve their privacy and security. Clever said that statistics about safety and security do not usually convince landowners that Rails to Trails is a good idea.
2. Duke Park Renovations update
Andrew Preiss reported that the play ground equipment should be finished by Sat. May 14 (Yesterday at the time of typing of these minutes.) The Paving Crew is a different contractor, and has a lot of large equipment in the park to put a sub-surface under the loop. (The original material was just laid on the ground – that is not ideal—as a result the job has taken more work than they were anticipating.)
The standing-water drainage issues inside the loop have been resolved.
Vandalism has already become a problem. A rope was used to climb to the top of the tower before the concrete footings had been set, and the footings had to be re-dug. Andrew asked people to please be considerate and stay off the equipment until it is finished and officially opened.
3. Other issues
The bathrooms still need to be properly managed. Ed Mitchell of General Services said he would take care of the plumbing problems, but the issues have not been completely resolved. Also the bathrooms need a fresh coat of paint, and the men’s room ceiling needs repair.
Barry asked for a paper towel dispenser in each bathroom, and lockable bathroom doors that Mr. Bain can lock.
Barry also informed the group that there are a few other issues in the Park. Apparently Beth Timson had agreed to new drinking fountains at one point. Recently she said that the old drinking fountains will not be replaced. Andrew said that an argument could be made that if new fountains are not a part of the renovation, then operative fountains should be a part of the maintenance of the Park. Ed Mitchell apparently told Andrew that he has a couple of drinking fountains and he is willing to install them in Duke Park between the bath house and the play equipment. Barry stated his feelings that operative drinking fountains are a necessity for a City Park.
4. The Meadow
This has become a sore spot because of drainage problems. The former pool site has always been a difficult issue. It was not a part of the renovation plan. Actually the entire renovation budget could have been spent just to fix the problem. It took Parks and Rec. 12 years to fix it.
DPNA brought out General Services and Parks and Rec. and let them look at the empty hole. General Services broke up the concrete pool and fill dirt from construction sites was brought to fill the hole. They filled the hole with General Services budget. They planted grass seed on top before it was graded with a switchable top layer. This seems like a waste. It is in a low lying area and collects water when it rains.
In February, DPNA and Parks and Rec. had agreed on an elaborate herringbone type series of underground perforated pipes to remove standing water. Now their feeling is that the system is too elaborate. So they dug a trench and put in 24 inch gutter pipes .
Barry Ragin mentioned that angry letters had been sent to the city about this drainage problem, and he expressed concern about the tensions which are re-emerging between the City and DPNA. He stated that these tensions were starting to be resolved with the park renovations, and requested that we continue to try to work together peacefully.
5. The Bathhouse
Someone asked when the decision will be made about whether Durham or DPNA will keep up the bath-house building. That seems to be up to DPNA. The City of Durham would like to rent the building to DPNA for $1.00/yr, but DPNA is reluctant to take on the liability at this time. Andrew Preiss brought up the possibility that there is great potential for the bath-house, if people want to be involved. A grand renovation could be completed with a considerable and concerted effort of a group of people. The building contains about 25 square feet, and is split into two rooms. None of the walls inside are load bearing and could be removed without damage to the building. It is dry, but has no windows. With some creative problem solving, like a grant for windows, the space could be used as an activities building three seasons a year (no heat). Heat air and glass could cost about $200,000.00 to $300,000.00. If someone would research the bathhouse history and write grants for the renovation it could be DPNA’s community center.
Barry said that what it really needs is someone willing to make it a project. There are 5 or 6 community groups who would like to meet there. It could serve as a starting place for nature hikes, a host to art shows.
Michelle Old has experience with grant writing and will look into that. Some other neighbors present agreed to work together on the bathhouse issue, and plan to report at the next DPNA meeting.
6. Amendments to Minutes
Andrew Preiss made the following amendments regarding his presentation at the meeting:
The drain pipes already in the meadow are two 4" pipes, not 24" pipes.
The offer to lease the bath house for $1 per year has only been suggested as a possibility by Beth Timson of Parks & Rec.
The bath house is approx. 2500 sq. ft.
The offer to add water fountains after renovations had begun was made by William Royston, not Beth. Sorry for any confusion during my rather long winded explanation last week.
P.S. The playground has been completed. However, the park is still officially closed until the paving crew finished their work next week.The next DPNA meeting will be held June 9 at Calvary United Methodist Church (Trinity & Elizabeth Streets).