Our 2020 Vision: Greetings from the DPR Director

Happy New Year! As I reflect on 2019, I am proud of the many accomplishments of Durham Parks and Recreation and our team! We hit our goal to connect our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning out of the park. From improving our internal systems to the unveiling of the new basketball courts at Hillside park, I am thrilled about our progress!

Pictured: Parkson Rex presented the Biggest Feet Award
with Parks and Recreation Director, Rhonda B. Parker, at
the Knock Your Socks Off Summer Camp Assembly
at Walltown Park Recreation Center. Campers painted
their own socks, voted for their favorite socks, and
danced the Hokey Pokey.

As I look ahead to the year 2020, I can’t help but get excited about our vision for this year. In medical terms, 20/20 vision is used to measure a person's ability to see objects at a distance of 20 feet. Our vision extends far beyond 20 feet. Our goal is to continue to improve our internal systems, increase our health and wellness offerings, and enhance Durham's trails, athletic facilities, and parks.

We are always looking to improve your experience and this year will be no different. We need your feedback and will work to collect, review, and respond to your ideas on how we can improve our services.  

We will lead the way in providing health and fitness programs, activities, and events. Some of our older programs will be revised, and we will create new programs based on trends around the country. We will also partner with other health and wellness organizations to give you the best experience possible.

We will also update the playgrounds at Lakeview Park, Bay Hargrove Park, and Drew Granby Park and install a new pump track at Belmont Park. Older playgrounds along with the Eno River park system at Old Farm Road Park, River Forest Park, and Valley Springs Park will be restored with the input from the community. The existing 30 miles of the trail system will be repaved and we will also connect the blue arch bridge over 147 and the R. Kelly Bryant Trail. We will also complete the plan for the Beltline Trail and the Third Fork Creek Trail.  

And that’s not all, we will renovate and expand our athletic fields to include the construction of four new fields at Hoover Road Park, and improve our existing fields by offering more hours of play.

We are excited about the many projects that we are working on in 2020. Our vision is clear and that is to connect our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning in 2020, and in years to come.

Thanks,
Rhonda B. Parker, MSM, CPRP
Director, Durham Parks and Recreation