Blog

Parties For The Park Is Back!

Events

Does it feel that summer party you wanted to have never quite happened? CELEBRATE in autumn. The wait is over–we’re unveiling our Parties for the Park fundraiser series today and tickets are on sale now! We’ve got virtual parties, an outdoor party and a silent auction for a week-long stay at this fantastic Sugar Mountain vacay home:

Sugar Mountain vacation house silent auction

Parties for the Park is Durham Central Park’s annual fall fundraiser. The funds raised through Parties for the Park provides 30% of the operating budget for Durham Central Park Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit organization.

For more than 22 years, we have built the infrastructure that makes the DCP beautiful, accessible, functional, comfortable and welcoming to the entire community. The funds raised from Parties for the Park have supported many projects over the years including continuation of our PLAYlist Concert Series, the installation of benches, tables, gardens, trees and art, Mt. Merrill and our newest feature, a larger-than-life troll sculpture and Troll Trail. Additionally, the funds help to cover the usual costs for staffing, maintaining, and programming the park.

By buying tickets to these parties, you will be helping to keep Durham Central Park a vibrant and accessible community space:

Trivia Night with Arturo Sanchez #1, Sept 30
Trivia Night with Arturo Sanchez #2, Oct. 1
A Tour of Italian Wines… From Home!, Oct 9
Deep Fried Swap Meet Hootenanny, Oct 10
Take and Bake! An Italian Meal to Warm the COVID Heart, Oct 18
Kingfisher Presents: Real Cocktails/Virtual Party, Oct 22

Read all about the parties at PartiesforthePark.org

The silent auction for the Sugar Mountain Vacation Home (pictured above) will be live from October 14-18.

If Zoom or in-person parties aren’t something you are up for right now, but you want to just have a party or picnic with close friends, family or Quaranteam and make a donation to DCP, that is also wonderful.

Watch #BarnabyDTroll make his journey from Liberty Arts Foundry

News, Park Improvements

#BarnabyDTroll is Durham Central Park’s newest feature! Watch our new climbable sleeping TROLL make his journey from Liberty Arts Foundry and walk our new Troll Trail this week. Use the hashtag #BarnabyDTroll when you post your pictures with him.

Durham Central Park is a 5-acre, city owned park that is managed and programmed by Durham Central Park, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit. As such, DCP, Inc. relies on the support of generous donors just like you! Donate here or become a sustainer.

#formandfunction #publicart

 

Built by: Waller Foushee Studios

Designer: @grafikmythos

Thank you: the Evans family.

   

NEW addition to Durham Central Park

Park Improvements
Down by the creek and under the bridge at Durham Central Park, a new trail is taking shape! The trail will run from Mt. Merrill down to the creek, under the bridge and back up to Hunt Street. It is designed to add shaded play area and make the creek more accessible for kids and grownups. The creek will be lined with large boulders to both stabilize the creek banks and allow for easy creek exploration.

But, it’s not JUST a trail… the Cardinal and Turtle will be getting a new friend! When the trail is finished, a new, custom, climbable sculpture will be installed next to the trail. Right now, the sculpture is being built in the Liberty Arts Foundry in the park by WallerFoushee Studios (of Major The Bull fame). Next time you are visiting the park, take a peak into the Foundry and see if you can guess who it will be.

Increasing shaded, playable area in Durham Central Park has been in DCP Inc.’s Master Plan for many years. Thanks to the generosity of the Evans Family, this trail and our new friend will be coming to the park later this summer for everyone to enjoy! Durham Central Park is a 5-acre city owned park located in the heart of Downtown Durham. The park is managed, developed and programmed by Durham Central Park, Inc. a 501c3 non-profit organization.

DCP Rocks Bingo!

Events

Durham Central Park rocks and we’ve got your second themed park bingo/scavenger hunt ready! At your leisure, and following physical distancing and face mask mandates, come to DCP with this “rock” and why “DCP rocks” bingo card. Post your pictures of what you or the young people in your life discover.

Durham Central Park is a 5-acre city owned park located in the heart of Downtown Durham. The park is managed, developed and programmed by Durham Central Park, Inc. a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our Mission: Providing Space for Community.

Durham Central Park is a place filled with natural beauty and man-made wonders. Yet, in a way, it is also a blank canvas—an empty stage ready to be the setting for your story.

Our mission is providing space for community, which means a number of things including:

–Continuing to maintain and improve an already amazing urban park;
–Working hard to ensure that the park is accessible to everyone;
–Hosting enjoyable, free events to enliven the park and enrich the community;
–Offering an affordable and attractive venue in the heart of downtown; and Safeguarding a place for people to gather in celebration or rally around a shared belief, meet up with friends or just be alone for a moment, appreciate public art or simply play in nature—a place for Durham to be Durham.

If you haven’t had a chance to play the first in our series, Pollinator Bingo (in honor of Pollinator Week last month, and Durham’s status as a Bee City, you can access the bingo card here. 

PLAYlist Concert Series Announcement

News

PLAYlist Concert Series Announcement: we were excited to share this year’s PLAYlist Concert Series lineup with you but, after much consideration and consultation with the City of Durham, NC Government, we have decided to cancel our 2020 PLAYlist Concert Series (June-Sept) in order to protect public health amid the #COVID-19 pandemic. We will miss gathering and the camaraderie of these concerts but feel that the risk and uncertainty is too great at this time. Photo credit Ryan Moeller Photography, 2018. #DurhamNC

#25DaysofGiving to Raise $10,000 to Support DCP’s Operating Funds

News

Giving Tuesday, May 5th, we kicked off #25DaysofGiving to raise $10,000 to support DCP’s operating funds. Our day four running total in #25DaysofGiving is $2141, including five new sustainers! Over the next 21 days, we will share our favorite memories, features and information about the work that we are doing to improve the park and provide space for community during the global pandemic. Please make a donation or become a sustainer to help us continue to serve the Durham community. 

As you may know, the park is operated, programmed and preserved by DCP, Inc. a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We serve as a “Friends of the Park” organization for Durham Central Park and keep the park a beautiful place for you to enjoy. Changes to our pavilion rentals and regularly scheduled programming this spring have caused financial challenges for our small non-profit.

Please make a donation so that we can continue our vital work towards positively impacting the well-being of our community. https://durhamcentralpark.org/donate/

Durham Farmers’ Market Re-Opens on May 2

News
Farmers Stands Next to Durham Farmers Market signAfter closing for the month of April due to COVID-19, the Durham Farmers’ Market has been given permission by the Durham County Health Department to re-open on May 2 from 8am-Noon.
To ensure the safety of vendors and customers, the Durham Farmers’ Market has new safety protocols in place.
      • Everyone is required to wear a face mask
      • There are designated entry and exit points
      • Pre-order and pre-pay are strongly encouraged
      • Maintain a 6′ distance between customers and vendors

The whole code of conduct can be found here.

You might have also noticed some fencing was put up at the park today… Farmer Jack from Sunset Ridge Buffalo Farm (pictured here), along with Durham Farmers’Market staff and DCP board members, have been working very hard today to make sure that the re-opening of the market is safe and successful. One of Durham County Health Department’s requirements for safe operation of farmers markets at this time is that the perimeter needs to be fenced off to ensure that people are following social distancing and traffic flow. The market will be open from 8am-noon on Saturdays and it will operate differently than usual to ensure vendor and customer safety. Please follow their guidelines and remember that face masks are required.

The fencing will stay up for as long as the health department requires. Even though the fencing is up at this time, Durham Central Park remains open for the community to enjoy, safely, of course.

Thank you for your understanding and a big thank you to Durham Farmers Market staff for safely providing fresh, local food to the community.

Mount Merrill Closed Due to Covid-19

News

Effective March 23, all playgrounds in the Durham Parks and Rec system, including Durham Central Park’s Mount Merrill, are closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Durham’s parks, trails, and greenways, however, remain open.

Officials in the City of Durham are recommending that those who use Durham’s parks and trails, “model social distancing by maintaining a safe distance (at least 6 feet) between you and other users. Group activities, i.e. basketball games, etc. are strongly discouraged.”

At this time, all city-owned facilities are closed as well. This includes the Pavilion at Durham Central Park and all scheduled events, including the Durham Farmers’ Market.

For more information about Durham’s response to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, please visit their website: https://durhamnc.gov/4013/City-of-Durham-COVID-19-Coronavirus-Upda

 

 

 

Durham Farmers’ Market Vendors Offering Pickup and Delivery

News
Durham Farmers Market Sign

While the Durham Farmers’ Market is temporarily closed to help stop the spread of Covid-19, many of their vendors will be offering delivery and pickup options. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, but it is the information that we have as of March 20, 2020.

For more or updated information, please visit durhamfarmersmarket.com or email the Durham Farmers’ Market Manager at [email protected]

Please note, the Durham Farmers’ Market staff are working on ways to get triple SNAP bucks to SNAP and WIC customers. Please contact Durham Farmers’ Market with more info about the program.

Bonlee Grown Farm

Selling Vegetables, Canned Goods, Eggs and Plants at Carrboro Farmers Market. Call 919-548-0977 for special orders

Caballo Rojo Coffee

Coffee Delivery available by emailing Gabriela, [email protected]

Chapel Hill Creamery

On Farm Pickup and selling at Carrboro Farmers’ Market. Email for ordering and payment, [email protected]com

Fickle Creek Farm

Offering on-farm pick up and delivery of their meats, eggs and vegetables. Fickle Creek Farm Store

Four Leaf Farm

Teaming up with Lil Farm for vegetable delivery. Email [email protected] for more info.

Harland’s Creek Farm

Online ordering for Saturday pick up at Geer Street Garden. Harland’s Creek Farm Store

Honeygirl Meadery

Offering dockside pickup at their tasting room at 105 Hood Street, Suite 6. More info on Honeygirl’s Facebook Page

Imagine That Gluten Free

Supplying Durham Co-op and Weaver Street Markets with Gluten Free Baked Goods

Lil Farm

Offering Temporary Joint Vegetable CSA with Four Leaf Farm with Delivery. Email [email protected] for to order

Maple Spring Gardens

Email Ken and Sunshine about vegetable delivery options maplespringgardens.com/contact-us

Melina’s Fresh Pasta

Melina’s Pasts Shop on Chapel Hill Road is open. To order, fill out their order form.

Meadow Lane Farm

Offering pickup at Geer Street Garden Parking Lot, 644 Foster St., Saturday 9:30-Noon. To order meats, vegetables and eggs Call/Text Martha at 919-495-1305 by Friday at 5pm.

Moondance Soaps

Order soaps and body products through their website. Offering free shipping to DFM customers with code GO-DFM

Roberson Creek Farm

Call for eggs

Soul Cocina

Offering Delivery in Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro. Order through website: https://soul-cocina.square.site/

Spicy Hermit

Offering Saturday delivery of kim chi. Order through website: https://spicyhermit.square.site/

Stoney Mountain Farm

Offering Farm pickups and delivery within 50 miles of their farm. Order on their website: Stoney Mountain Farm Store

Strong Arm Baking

Offering Porch Drops of their Baked Goods. Order on their website: Strong Arm Baking Store

Sunset Ridge Buffalo Farm

Selling at Carrboro Farmers Market and offering limited Farm Pickups. To place an order, call 336-583-6666

Terra Clotha

Special Orders for Pickup. Email Mike: [email protected]

Wild Scallions Farm

On Farm Pickup on Saturdays of vegetables and flowers. To place an order, email [email protected]