Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

By: Annette Smith, Staff Liaison It's Giving Tuesday and we hope you consider making a end of year gift to support your local parks! Durham’s parks and trails have been a respite for many as we weather through the pandemic. Your gift will support our many projects that preserve, strengthen and expand parks, trails and open space in Durham! 2020 was tough for all of us – for Durham Parks Foundation (DPF), 2020 was a pause in work as we rely on volunteers to help us with everything we do! Once we were able to gather, safely, outside, DPF jumped at the opportunity to host Plant the Prairie events at the Piedmont Prairie at West Point on the Eno Park. With funding support from individual donors and the Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation we installed a second phase of native grasses and pollinators in May and June! Our amazing volunteers planted over 10,000 plants over 5 days! The rains of the early summer were so helpful! We have a new section of the Piedmont Prairie thriving

The holidays are here and we're spreading cheer to all who come near (the City of Durham)! From pups to humans, there is something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season! We know you're busy buying gifts, preparing for guests, attending holiday parties and wrapping up those year-end work projects, so we're sharing the official DPR Holiday Happening's Guide for all the go-to details on our upcoming holiday events... Santa Paws | Friday, December 3 from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Durham Armory Join us for an evening of holiday fun with your canine friends. Bring your canine friend out to meet Santa! Santa will be available for photos with your pet. This event also includes a canine ugly sweater contest, holiday pet market, and canine food drive. For more information, visit our website. CANCELED - Jingle Bells Holiday Bazzar | Friday, December 10 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Edison Johnson Recreation Center  Knock out some holiday shopping at the Jingle Bells Holiday Bazaar.

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator It is said that ‘there is no I in team’ and that could not be more true when it comes to recognizing this month’s Durham Parks and Recreation volunteers. Julian Coleman, Joshua Leonard, and Nahsan Guseh are Durham Girls Soccer League’s (DGSL) team Madagascar’s coaches and our volunteers of the month. Julian, Joshua and Nahsan have been vital to the success of the Durham Girls Soccer League (DGSL). During the pandemic, all three coaches volunteered their time to assist with the DGSL Soccer Fun Days and even kept in touch with their team throughout the longest off-season ever! They coordinated meet-ups and gave their players an opportunity to stay active when DGSL was unable to run. During this past fall season, these three coaches took on an additional team in our youngest division - holding two practices a week and coaching two games each weekend. The success and positive attitude of their teams is a direct reflection of their dedication to the D

You don't need to go to a gym or park to get in a quick workout...why not swing by one of our indoor pools for a quick water exercise class! Campus Hills Pool and Edison Johnson Aquatics Center offer a variety of Water Exercise options for participants to feel the burn and break a sweat! Each class offers a total workout while protecting joints from the pounding of a traditional land aerobics class. The program is designed to utilize the natural resistance of water allowing for muscle toning, cardiovascular endurance, and increased flexibility. And the best thing...participants do not need to know how to swim to join in the fun! Check out our current Water Exercise classes taking place this Fall and next Spring by visiting ActiveNet . Please note, drop-in fees do apply and a multi-visit pass is available for purchase on a Play More Card at a discounted rate per class. Now let's meet the amazing Water Aerobics Instructors that will be leading you in your next workout in the wate

By: Annette Smith, Grants and Special Projects Analyst, Sr A new mural is being installed as a part of the renovations to W. D. Hill Recreation Center. Local artist Wade Williams, and a team of assistants are working on a mural celebrating the Recreation Center’s namesake, William Daniels (W.D.) Hill and several noted local athletes who developed their skill and talents at the recreation center. The painting of the mural will take several weeks. Be sure to watch the progress as you travel down Fayetteville Street. The artist for this project was selected by a committee representing community members, youth and staff in early 2021. Mr. Williams conducted significant engagement within the Hayti neighborhood while developing his concepts for this mural. DPR conducted an online survey with residents to select the final concept. About the Athletes William Daniels Hill (1890-1945); was an executive of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co. and the prime mover in that firm's projects to

Durham Parks and Recreation School-Age Care Program’s celebrated Lights on After-School on Thursday, October 28. Participants and their families joined us at I.R. Holmes Sr. Recreation Center at Campus Hills, Edison Johnson Recreation Center and W.I. Patterson as we hosted an art show, family game night, pumpkin carving, the light bulb challenge and more! This was the first time that parents and guardians were able to see the inside of our programs since the beginning of the pandemic. Lights on After School is a Nationwide event that launched in October 2000 and celebrates afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.  The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, com