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In 2023, we embarked on a journey that will shape Durham Central Park for decades. We held public meetings and worked with the City of Durham and McAdams Design Firm to develop three plans. Then we narrowed our focus and submitted a final plan which City Council would go on to approve in April 2025. Our 1st Annual Greenprint Gala was a presentation of the Vision, our Greenprint for the Future was just being introduced.

This year we have so much to Celebrate.

In the year and half since launching the Greenprint, we have already broken ground on the first two projects on the West Side of the Park, and more designs in the works for Phase II. We have successfully fundraised $500,000 to kick start this 10-year Vision, and we are only just beginning.

Join Us for A Sneak Peek at Whats Been Done and What’s To Come

The 2nd Annual Greenprint Gala will begin with a walk through the Park and drinks from the Glass Jug. From there we will parade up the street to the Rickhouse for a seated dinner and a closer look at what’s next. Local partners will be providing an incredible dinner, insight into the future of Downtown Durham’s most beloved Greenspace, and the long and short-term goals of the Durham Central Park Greenprint.

Secure Your Tickets Now! 

Get Tickets to the Greenprint Gala October 8th, a Sneak Peek at our Progress!

Durham Central Park’s Greenprint is taking shape, and we’re celebrating with shovels in the ground, kudzu on the way out, and a whole lot more room to gather.

On July 29, Durham Central Park celebrated a major milestone for the Greenprint: the groundbreaking of two transformational projects, the Forest Seating and Creekside Gateway.

Surrounded by community members, city leaders, neighbors, supporters, and friends of the park, we gathered to celebrate not only what we are building, but the community vision and generosity that made these projects possible.

It was a beautiful day to look ahead!

More Places to Gather. More Ways to Enter. More Park for Everyone!

The Forest Seating project will create hundreds of additional square feet of seating within the park’s wooded landscape, creating new places to sit, gather, watch performances, enjoy lunch, meet a friend, or simply slow down beneath the trees.

The Seating is designed to work with the natural character of the park rather than against it, creating an inviting space where nature and community can coexist.

And at the park’s northern edge, the Creekside Gateway will create a more welcoming and accessible entrance to Durham Central Park. For years, this area has been challenged by overgrown vegetation and limited access. Now, we’re opening it up.

These projects are about making Durham Central Park a more enjoyable, vibrant public space that welcomes everyone.

A Community Vision, Celebrated Together

The groundbreaking brought together many of the people who have helped make this vision possible.

We were honored to hear from Nicole Thompson of Downtown Durham Inc., whose remarks reflected on the importance of vibrant public spaces to a thriving downtown and a connected community.

Our Executive Director, Erin Kauffman, shared the vision behind the Greenprint, the power of partnership with Durham Parks and Recreation and the City of Durham, and the astounding past, present, and future of the Park.

And David Lent Bews, longtime board member and champion of the Greenprint, spoke to the work, expertise, and community investment that have brought these projects to fruition.

With city partners, community leaders, donors, board members, neighbors, and park patrons gathered together, the ceremonial groundbreaking was a powerful reminder that public spaces don’t happen by accident. They happen because people believe they are worth investing in.

Built by Believers

Every Greenprint project begins with a vision—but it becomes real because people choose to believe in that vision.

We are deeply grateful to the families who were among the first to invest in these projects:

Thank you to the Rothchild, Donahue, Tilley, Lent-Bews, Scherich, Evans, and Harrell families for your generosity, your early support, and your belief in what Durham Central Park can become.

 Thank you, Grayson Baur of Catalpa Land Design, for your insightful designs, thoughtful approach, and endless patience as this vision has taken shape.

Thank you, Alex Culpepper of Sunrock, for your excitement about the project and your generous donation of materials that will help bring it to life.

Thank you to our board member, David Lent Bews, for your expertise, organization, and extraordinary generosity of time.

And thank you to you—our park patrons—for continuing to show up, gather here, support the park, and believe in its future.

This Is Just the Beginning

The Forest Seating and Creekside Gateway are the first steps in a much larger vision.

The Greenprint is Durham Central Park’s 10-year plan for the future of the park, shaped by the ways our community uses this space today and the possibilities we see for tomorrow. There is still much more to come!

We are continuing to raise funds for the Greenprint Now and Future Projects, including additional improvements that will make Durham Central Park more accessible, welcoming, resilient, and connected.

Want to help build the future of Durham Central Park?

Visit durhamcentralpark.org/greenprint to learn more, explore the Greenprint projects, and join us in making this vision a reality.

Relive the Groundbreaking

We’re grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate this moment with us, and to Paul Crocco for capturing the day so beautifully.

Take a look through the photo slideshow below and relive the celebration, from the gathering in the park to the ceremonial groundbreaking and the first shovels in the ground.

The future of Durham Central Park is taking shape, and we are just getting started!

As the year comes to a close, we are reflecting on the joy, connection, and community spirit that filled Durham Central Park in 2025.

From the electric nights at PLAYlist to the quiet early-morning walks, from Storytime’s laughter to sunset skate sessions, from Food Truck Rodeos to the Greenprint Gala, the park was alive with energy and belonging.

Looking Back with Gratitude

This year, you helped:

• Welcome 500,000 visitors
  
• Serve 500 early learners at Storytime
  
• Host festivals, markets, concerts, and cultural celebrations
  
• Advance the Greenprint’s first phase
  
• Deepen partnerships and volunteer engagement
  
• Support 100+ small businesses
  
• Strengthen our landscape and tree canopy 

Thank you for showing up not just with your presence, but with your care.

Looking Ahead with Hope

As we prepare for 2026, we are brimming with excitement:

• PLAYlist 2026 is booked with an incredible lineup
  
• The Greenprint’s first phase continues to move forward
  
• New opportunities for community input and celebration are ahead
  
• We are working to sustain free programming despite major grant cuts 

Your Gift Builds the Greenprint

If Durham Central Park has been part of your year—your Friday nights, your family outings, your morning routine, your memories—please consider a year-end gift.

Together, we can build a stronger, greener, more welcoming future.

Happy holidays from all of us at Durham Central Park!

Durham is growing—and so must its central public space.

The Greenprint is Durham Central Park’s 10-year roadmap for improving accessibility, comfort, connectivity, shade, gathering spaces, and event infrastructure. It is the first major update to the park’s master plan in over a decade, and it is built directly from community input.

How We Got Here

Over two years, DCP worked with McAdams and Durham Parks and Recreation to gather public feedback through:

• Surveys
• Workshops
• Walk-throughs
• Vendor meetings
• Accessibility consultations
• Focus groups

Hundreds of comments shaped the final plan.

What’s Coming First

Three early-phase projects are already in design:

1. Creekside Gateway

A safe, welcoming entrance connecting the park to the Greenway and the Durham Athletic Park.

2. Forest Seating & Terraces

A shaded, terraced landscape for gathering, resting, meeting, playing, and storytelling.

3. The Memorial Garden

A reflective space honoring loved ones, offering solace and beauty in equal measure.

Learn more about the Westside Phase here.

Is Anything Being Removed?

No.
The skate park stays.
The Pavilion stays.
The Farmers’ Market stays.
We’re building around beloved features—not replacing them.

A Community-Built Future

The Greenprint is about more than projects—it’s about belonging.

It makes DCP more accessible, more comfortable, more connected, and more resilient as our city grows. And every step of the way, community voices will lead the process.

Your support turns the vision into reality. Donate to the Greenprint today!

Dear Durham Central Park and Durham Farmers’ Market Community,

We are writing to share an important update about Saturday morning parking in the Morris Street lot adjacent to Durham Central Park and the Durham Farmers’ Market. We know that access to safe, convenient parking is essential for many of our vendors, visitors, and neighbors, and we want to ensure you have clear, accurate information about recent changes.

First, we want to be transparent:
The Morris Street parking lot is privately owned property. It is not owned, operated, or managed by Durham Central Park (DCP) or the Durham Farmers’ Market (DFM). The new parking structure, signage, and fees were implemented solely by the property owner, Measurement Durham. We recognize that any change to long-established routines can be frustrating, but we hope this information helps clarify roles and expectations.

What’s changing:
Measurement Inc. has introduced a new parking system for the Morris Street lot. Under this new system:

• Market customers receive one hour of free parking on Saturday mornings. To redeem this free hour, you must scan one of the posted QR codes located at two different points within the lot. (We will share more info about the locations of these codes soon)

• After the first free hour, the property owner has set the rates as follows:

  • $2 for the second hour,

  • $1 per hour for each additional hour.
    These fees are collected and managed entirely by the property owner.

We understand that some community members may have concerns about scanning a QR code, the shift from free open parking, or the potential cost for longer market visits. Many of you have come to rely on the lot for years, and any change can feel abrupt. The change to a paid parking model was solely at the discretion of the property owner to help offset the exponential increase in property taxes. DCP and DFM maintain an open and communicative relationship with Measurement Durham and will continue to work with them to maintain clarity and accessibility during the transition.

Alternative parking options:
If you prefer not to use the Morris Street lot, several nearby lots and street-parking options remain available on Saturday mornings, including:

• City Garages and Surface Lots (free on weekends)

  • Chapel Hill Street Garage – 326 E Chapel Hill St.

  • Corcoran Street Garage – 110 E Corcoran St.

  • Church Street Garage – 109 S Mangum St.

  • Durham Centre Garage Morgan – 300 W Morgan St.

  • Morgan Rigsbee Garage – 105 W Morgan St.

• Street parking on Foster, Hunt, Corporation, Rigsbee, and nearby blocks (free on weekends)

• The lot across from Cecy’s Gallery on Foster Street, bound by Foster, Hunt, Rigsbee, and Seminary is also private but open on Saturday mornings.
• Ellen Cassilly Architect at Corporation and Foster Street has a paid lot which contributes a portion of the proceeds to Durham Central Park.

• The Durham Food Hall will validate parking from the Liberty Warehouse garage on West Corporation Street between Foster Street and Rigsbee Avenue. Take your parking ticket to the Auctioneer Bar to get it stamped for free parking.
  

Our commitment to you:
Both Durham Central Park and the Durham Farmers’ Market remain committed to maintaining a welcoming, accessible space for everyone who gathers here—whether to shop local, enjoy the park, support our small businesses, or spend time with friends and family. While this change is outside of our control, we will continue to communicate updates, listen to community concerns, and work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to support a smooth transition.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the park, the market, and the many vendors and small businesses who make Saturday mornings a cornerstone of community life in Durham.

With appreciation,
Durham Central Park
Durham Farmers’ Market

2025 was a remarkable year at Durham Central Park. More people visited, more programs grew, and more community voices shaped the future of our five-acre green space than ever before.

Here are the highlights from an unforgettable year:

PLAYlist Concert Series Reached New Heights

This year’s PLAYlist was our most attended yet. Six free concerts brought thousands of residents together to experience world-class music right in downtown Durham. The atmosphere was electric—families dancing, food trucks buzzing, and community shining.

Attendees often tell us PLAYlist is “their favorite event in Durham,” and in 2025, the crowds proved it. Thanks to the North Carolina Arts Council, the Durham Arts Council, and the City of Durham for supporting this series.

Storytime Expanded to Serve Over 500 Children

Every week, families from across the city gathered under the trees or near Mt. Merrill for joyful reading, singing, and art-making. Storytime continues to play a vital role in early childhood education—free, enriching, and accessible. Durham Central Park collaborated with Book Harvest in 2025, to bring hundreds of free books to Storytime attendees.

Food Truck Rodeos Celebrated Culture and Community

Our Food Truck Rodeos drew more than 15,000 people, showcased 75+ local businesses, and featured special cultural events such as the Solar New Year Food Truck Rodeo.

At the Harvest Rodeo, the community collected a truckload of food for FEED Durham—proof that Durham shows up for one another.

Volunteers Strengthened the Land

Nearly 25 volunteer workdays brought neighbors together to plant, clean, mulch, and care for the land. Their work improved safety, added new plantings, and supported pollinators and wildlife.

Major Progress on the Greenprint

Early design began for the Creekside Gateway, Forest Seating, and Memorial Garden. With more than $135,000 already committed, momentum is building—and the future is bright for the Durham Central Park Greenprint.

This year’s success reflects your generosity, your attendance, your advocacy, and your belief in the power of public space. Donate to Durham Central Park’s Cardinal Campaign to keep this amazing work going in 2026. 

If you would like to see a more in depth look at our 2025 Accomplishments, check out our 2025 Impact Report Here.

Parties for the Park tickets are on sale now!

We’re thrilled to announce five brand new Parties for the Park added to this fall’s lineup. These one-of-a-kind gatherings bring neighbors together for unforgettable experiences, all while raising vital support for Durham Central Park. With something for everyone—from trivia buffs and cocktail lovers to artists and stew enthusiasts—you won’t want to miss out. Tickets are limited, so reserve yours today! Check out the full lineup below or head to partiesforthepark.org for tickets now!
Sip & Support: Fall Crawl for Durham Central Park

Every Thursday, October 9 – November 20
Seven breweries. Seven Thursdays. One great cause.
Each week, a different Durham brewery will host a night where $1 from every pint goes directly to support Durham Central Park’s free programming. No ticket is required to attend—just come thirsty and ready to support the park!

Fall Crawl Schedule:

• Oct 9 – Ment Beverage Company

• Oct 16 – Glass Jug Beer Lab

• Oct 23 – DSSLVR

• Oct 30 – Bull City Burger and Brewery

• Nov 6 – Bull City Ciderworks

• Nov 13 – Durham Food Hall

• Nov 20 – Durty Bull

Entente Cordial: Durham Edition

Date/Time: Saturday, October 11 | 6-10pm

Location: Trinity Park
A warm neighborhood gathering in Trinity Park with fine food, drink, and company. Only four tickets left!
Hosted by: Dan and Chris Jewell, Kevin & Meg Wiehe, Mike & Sarah Wolff

Central Park Smash

Date/Time: Sunday, October 12 | 4–6pm
Location: Roadrunner, Kingfisher’s Outdoor Bar
Tickets: $50 | 24 tickets available
Join us for a spirited evening in support of Durham Central Park! Kingfisher, one of Durham’s most celebrated cocktail bars, will host Central Park Smash, a hands-on mixology class that blends creativity, autumnal flavor, and community.
Hosted by: Kingfisher Durham

Bull City Trivia

Date/Time: Thursday, October 16 | 7–9pm
Location: The Glass Jug
Capacity: 40 people OR 10 teams of 4
Tickets: $10 per person | $30 per team (up to 4 players)
Brush up on your Durham history (or find some knowledgeable friends) for a special themed trivia night! Come solo and meet new trivia besties, or bring your dream team.
Hosted by: Allie Jaarsma and The Glass Jug

Flow for DCP!

Date/Time: Sunday, October 19
A revitalizing yoga class led by Midtown Yoga, right in the park.
Hosted by: Midtown Yoga

Build, Paint & Play: Cornhole Set Painting

Date/Time: Sunday, October 19 | 1–6pm
Tickets: Limited based on available boards
Grab your friends and get creative! This one-of-a-kind event invites you to design and paint your very own cornhole set while supporting Durham Central Park.
Hosted by: Words that Work and Crafts and Drafts

The Park We Built: A Community Screening & Celebration

Date/Time: Friday, October 24 | 6–9pm
Join us for an evening celebrating the story of Durham Central Park. We’re proud to present The Park We Built, a documentary by 3 Attic Entertainment featuring interviews with park founders, event organizers, neighbors, and friends. Filmed in spring 2025, the film captures the passion and dedication that made this beloved downtown greenspace possible.
Hosted by: Ben Abram and DCP Staff

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Date/Time: Sunday, October 26 | Two seatings: 3–5pm & 5–7pm
Location: Bull McCabe’s, 427 W Main St, Durham
One of our most popular Parties for the Park returns! This cherished fall tradition blends the season’s richest flavors with unforgettable sounds, inviting the community to slow down, savor a delicious meal, and enjoy live music under the crisp autumn sky.

The Iron Pour Viewing Party

Date/Time: Saturday, November 15 | 6–9pm
Location: Foster on the Park
Tickets: $65 | 60 tickets available
The Iron Pour is back—and this year’s party puts you right in the middle of the action. Enjoy close-up views of Liberty Arts’ spectacular Iron Pour while still catching all the drama from above at Foster on the Park. A one-of-a-kind fall evening!
Hosted by: Pam Salazar Hickok & Kyle Hickok and Foster on the Park

Tickets here!

About Parties for the Park

Parties for the Park is Durham Central Park’s annual fall fundraiser series. Local hosts open their doors, talents, and tables to create unique events that celebrate community while raising funds to keep Durham Central Park’s programs free and open to all.

Durham Central Park’s 2024 Impact Report: Celebrating a Year of Community, Growth, and Sustainability

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible strides we’ve made together at Durham Central Park. This year has been filled with unforgettable moments, from our beloved PLAYlist Concert Series to the growing success of our educational programs and environmental initiatives. We’re excited to share the impact of your support in our 2024 Impact Report.

This report is a testament to the power of community and the role you play in helping Durham Central Park thrive. Thanks to your generosity, our park has become more than just a green space—it’s a hub for connection, creativity, and sustainability at the heart of Durham.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find in the 2024 Impact Report:

• Community Engagement: Over 15,000 attendees at our Food Truck Rodeos, and thousands of children and families coming together for Storytime. Our programs are growing stronger, reaching more people, and creating lasting connections.
• Sustainability Efforts: This year, we diverted over 3 tons of compostable and recyclable materials from the landfill and prevented over 20,000 disposable cups from entering waste streams through our Reusable Cup Program.
• Exciting Growth: With your help, we’ve launched plans for improving accessibility and expanding park amenities—making Durham Central Park even more welcoming and accessible for everyone in 2025.
• Financial Stewardship: Learn how your donations have helped fund the park’s maintenance, programs, and community outreach, ensuring that this green space remains a beautiful, safe, and vibrant place for years to come.

The 2024 Impact Report is a heartfelt thank you to all who have supported Durham Central Park. Your contributions, whether through donations, volunteering, or simply visiting the park, have made all of this possible.

Ready to dive into the full report? Click here to explore how we’ve made a lasting impact together in 2024—and discover how you can help shape the future of Durham Central Park in 2025 and beyond!

Thank you for being part of our journey. We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the year ahead!