Dear Neighbors:
Today I write with excitement about the promise of completing Carrboro’s network of greenways, and with an invitation to participate in a community survey at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2869/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Engagement-Survey
For many years, Carrboro residents have supported improvements to our network of sidewalks, bikeways, and greenways to better connect our neighborhoods with each other and to schools and jobs, parks, civic and social opportunities, and our downtown. Together with our significant investments in the fare-free Chapel Hill Transit system, these improvements provide more options for more people for recreation and mobility throughout the community.
We’re making progress, slowly but steadily:
- Since the Bolin Creek Greenway concept plan was approved in 2009, we have completed two phases of the project. The Wilson Park Multi-use Path connects Wilson Park and nearby neighborhoods, Estes Drive, Estes Park Apartments, and the walking trails of the Adams Tract. The Homestead Road–Chapel Hill High School Multi-use Path connects the Winmore and Claremont neighborhoods to Chapel Hill High School, Smith Middle School, and Seawell Elementary School .
- Since the Morgan Creek Greenway concept plan was approved in 2010, design of the first phase is nearly finished. This phase will connect the Berryhill and Canterbury neighborhoods to Smith Level Road and planned greenway segments in Chapel Hill. Future phases will connect to neighborhoods near Jones Ferry Road, University Lake, and Carrboro High School.
- The first segment of the Jones Creek Greenway was completed in 2011 from the future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park to Morris Grove Elementary. Construction of the short connection to the Ballentine, Legends at Lake Hogan, and Lake Hogan Farms neighborhoods is expected to begin next year. Future phases will connect to the Fox Meadow and Winmore neighborhoods.
Now we need your help with a survey about the remaining phases of the Bolin Creek Greenway. Your input at this early stage will help the Town plan and design these phases, address engineering and environmental details, and secure federal funding and other grants to make the project a reality. While this public engagement is occurring, staff are reviewing the alternative greenway options in the concept plan for any technical or regulatory challenges.
Your survey responses will be considered along with previous public input, technical and scientific findings from professional field investigations, and the updated technical and regulatory review .
As you respond to the survey, I encourage you to think about how you and your neighbors use the greenways in Carrboro and Chapel Hill today. How do you envision using them in the future? What are the opportunities for connections and destinations? How can a complete greenway network support our recreational, transportation, environmental, and health goals as a community?
Your responses are important to us. Please learn more about the Bolin Creek Greenway concept plan at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway and share your thoughts through the online survey at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2869/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Engagement-Survey
Wishing you a happy summer,
Mayor Damon Seils
Photo captions - Mayor Damon Seils and Communication & Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko met this group of enthusiastic trailer hikers from the RedApple Summer Camp with Director May Zhu at the trailhead in Wilson Park (110 Williams St., Carrboro, NC) while visiting the Bolin Creek Greenway information kiosk on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
