Letter from DPNA vice president Andrew Preiss

When our family moved into the neighborhood almost four years ago, I was thrilled to have neighbors again. For the previous eleven years our rustic farmhouse on eight acres in southwest Durham was ripe with wildlife, mature oaks and walnut, but short on community spirit. The prospect of participating in a Neighborhood Association with the potential it has for influencing political and social change in a very intimate way was a very exciting new opportunity.

Having just participated in extensive playground planning sessions at my daughter’s school, and with experience in materials and construction, I took an immediate interest in the Park renovations. It quickly became apparent the project was going to be complicated and frustrating. Budget shortfalls, numerous staff changes, DOT, and unforeseeable delays have worn down some of my initial enthusiasm and replaced it often with grim determination and resolve to struggle through the adversity for a common goal: to make our Park a BETTER PLACE. Even this has proved to be a contentious and impassioned debate, threatening to factionalize the neighborhood and further delay implementing the project.

After three public meetings and extensive e-mails, it was obvious we would never reach consensus on all the improvements the DPNA would recommend to Parks & Rec. After considering EVERYONE’S comments, the Board held a 2-1/2 hour Executive Committee meeting and crafted a recommendation to the City. I’m sure this will spark further debate with a mixture of joy and outrage. However, I feel confident the neighborhood will benefit greatly from our perseverance when our lovely old Park gets the attention it deserves. –Andrew Preiss

More articles about the park:
History of the park renovations controversy
Park renovations hit snag
Meet Mr. Bain, Duke Park caretaker