Durham Parks and Recreation: Play More!

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller These words exemplify Harriet Sansone and her efforts with keeping the American Tobacco Trail clean. In the 4 years that Harriet has been a Durham Parks and Recreation volunteer she regularly goes above and beyond to support the Adopt-A-Trail program.  Just since January 1, 2021 Harriet has brought volunteers together that have contributed nearly 100 volunteer hours and collected over 500 lbs of trash off the American Tobacco Trail. Not only does she help with volunteer efforts through Burn Boot Camp South Durham, but she also coordinates the clean-up efforts on behalf of the ATT Facebook Friends adoption. Volunteers are our superheroes. Every day, we celebrate their passion, dedication, and leadership that help make the trails we all love possible. Thank you to all of the volunteers that dedicate countless number of hours to the Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Trail program. ...

Who's ready to rock out!? Durham Parks and Recreation is bringing concerts to you...in your car! Join us for Rock the Lot at select dates and locations this summer! Come on out for a concert and enjoy it from the comfort of your vehicle or bring your own chairs and sit directly in front of your vehicle in the marked space provided. Rock the Lot events are rain or shine. Rain dates will not be offered for these events. All Rock the Lot events are free, but tickets must be reserved online . Only one ticket is needed per car. We will be limiting each car to only 4 people, so please plan accordingly. Reserving your ticket online guarantees you entry to the show. Each concert will accommodate up to 50 vehicles. Cars are limited to 4 people, so please plan accordingly! Ticket registration will be taken online until all spots are full or until 3 days prior to the concert. No tickets will be issued at the gate. No shows are no fun! If you reserve a ticket and can no longer attend, please l...

Love spending time at the pool? Consider yourself a strong swimmer? We're hiring Lifeguards to join the Durham Parks and Recreation Aquatics team! Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve. Consider  applying to work  with us today. Below is more information about the position as well as how you can learn more about what our Aquatics departments offers to Durham residents. Job Description & Benefits Duties/Responsibilities Disciplines all patrons who violate pool safety rules. Observes pool area with strict safety measure. Teaches swimming classes organized by the Recreation Department. Aids in reorganizing swimming team(s) and carries out swimming meets. Treats minor injuries with basic first aid. Assists in the pool and bathhouse maintenance assigned by the Pool Manager. Encourages participants to take part in the Water Safety Program. Assists in maintaining a high water quality. Performs related task as required. Minimum Qualificat...

Now that the beautiful weather is here, we expect more people will be out walking, running, biking, and “blading” along Durham’s trails and greenways. With increased density on the trails, our responsibility to keep each other safe increases too. Safety for all users is of paramount importance. Remember, the trails are a shared public space — safety and courtesy make for a positive trail experience for everyone. So, please respect your fellow trail users. Safety Tips Pass others on the left. Just like out on the road, faster trail users should pass slower users on the left. Give an audible warning with a bell, or call out “Passing on your left!” Pets on the trail should be on a leash and under control. Make sure the volume on your headphones does not keep you from hearing others approach or calling out. Do not litter along the trails. There are trash receptacles at most intersections. Speed Guide It is the nature of trails that users are moving at different speeds. Families with childr...

The 2021 Bimbé Celebration registration is currently full with a waiting list. It’s time for a Bimbé Celebration! For those that have registered for the event, join us on Saturday, May 15 at Durham County Memorial Stadium Parking Lot, located at 750 Stadium Drive. Enjoy this rain or shine, family-oriented event, celebrating African and African American history, culture, arts, and traditions. This event require pre registration and spots are limited! For time slot availability and registration, visit our ActiveNet website . This event will consist of some of the highlights of our usual Bimbé Festival including great music, speakers, and tasty food! Enjoy concerts and speakers from the comfort of your vehicle or bring your own chairs and sit directly in front of your vehicle in the marked space provided. Visit the Bimbé History page for information on how the festival has evolved throughout the years. The following food trucks will be available so be sure to bring your appetite or f...

It's gonna be May...and that means another month of DPR activities for all ages! From Bike Rodeo and Tabata Training to Rock the Bell and Flower Moon Hike, we've prepared this monthly go-to guide highlighting what to mark on your calendar and make sure you're in attendance. For the most up-to-date information about our programs, make sure you regularly check  ActiveNet  as well as the calendar on our website! MAY 5 Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower : Join us in the meadow at the West Point on the Eno Environmental Education Pavilion as we watch the spectacle. The Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower is a meteor shower associated with Halley's Comet. Bring your own blankets or chairs and dress for the weather. Viewing session is 2 hours long and every person attending must be registered regardless of age. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. MAY 6 Rock the Bell: Challenge yourself and try something new, come Rock the Bell and see if kettlebell fitness is for you! R...

By: Mal Atkinson, Resource Coordinator Eugene “Coach Mo” Mosley has been volunteering with DPR’s Special Programs Unit for over 20 years. Not only does he volunteer as a coach for our programs, he also helps to organize DPR’s Summer Basketball league for people with special needs. Coach Mo also volunteers for the Special Olympics Durham County sport program which is run by DPR’s Special Programs Unit. He coaches soccer, basketball, unified basketball and track and field. Coach Mo is a stand out. He goes above and beyond the call of duty as a volunteer. Coach Mo cares about participants, making sure participants are doing well on and off the court or field. During these unprecedented times he has taken the time to reach out and ensure that the athletes stay engaged and know they are missed. Over the past 20 years, Coach Mo has created so many great memories. From winning state level Special Olympics gold medals to the final games in our summer basketball league. One moment in particular...

By: Annette Smith, Grants and Special Projects Analyst, Sr. Four years ago, Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) staff began meeting with residents living near Lakeview Park (3500 Dearborn Dr.). We were invited by the neighborhood and the Duke Neighborhood Partnership to help re-vision the park. At that time the park was a sad remnant of its original design, with only one small slide left in the playground. Over the course of two years we developed a master plan for the park with the growing Braggtown Community Association. This plan included: A new playground A ground plain mural on the cement pad next to the playground A new picnic area below the playfield Native plants and trees A stage A new restroom That Master Plan served as the foundation for a proposed Participatory Budgeting project in 2019. While the project did not receive enough votes to receive PB funding, DPR was able to secure two grants, one from the National Recreation and Park Association and Disney, the other from the N...