FAQs

PARK FAQ: HISTORY & STRUCTURE

Why was Durham Central Park set up with a nonprofit?

Durham Central Park was born from a grassroots movement in the late 1990s. Community members saw potential in the abandoned, underused downtown land and wanted a green, public gathering place for everyone. The nonprofit Durham Central Park, Inc. (DCP) was established in 1999 to lead this effort, working alongside the City of Durham to transform the vision into reality. The nonprofit model allows for community-driven decision-making, private fundraising, and flexible partnerships that wouldn’t be possible under a city-run system alone.

What does the City of Durham provide for Durham Central Park?

Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) owns the land and provides essential maintenance support, such as mowing, tree care, and infrastructure repair. The City also funds certain capital improvements and collaborates on long-term planning and accessibility initiatives. DCP and DPR operate under a management agreement that defines responsibilities for programming, maintenance, and planning.

Where does Durham Central Park get its funding?

DCP’s funding comes primarily from private sources: individual donors, local businesses, corporate sponsors, grants, and earned income from park rentals. City funds are occasionally directed to major capital or infrastructure projects, but DCP raises most of the money needed to operate and improve the park.

Where does DCP’s money go?

Funds support free community programming (like PLAYlist, Storytime, and the Food Truck Rodeo), daily park maintenance and landscaping, infrastructure improvements, accessibility projects, and staff who plan, fundraise, and manage these initiatives. Every dollar raised goes directly toward keeping Durham Central Park clean, safe, vibrant, and welcoming.

Is DCP a part of the City Parks system?

Yes—Durham Central Park is a City of Durham public park, owned by the City and managed through a public-private partnership. However, DCP, Inc. is an independent nonprofit that stewards the park’s use, programming, and fundraising.

Do you follow Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) rules?

Yes. Because the park is city property, all events and uses of the space comply with DPR and City of Durham guidelines. DCP also maintains its own event policies to ensure safety, accessibility, and equitable community use.

How do you factor in community wants and needs in your planning?

Community input is central to everything DCP does. We host public meetings, surveys, charrettes, and focus groups during every planning process—most recently for the Greenprint and earlier park design projects. We also gather feedback after events and rentals to ensure programming remains inclusive, responsive, and representative of Durham’s diversity.

What about the skate park?

The skate park was built by the City in 2009 after community advocacy identified the need for safe, accessible skate space downtown. It remains a popular feature of the park and is here to stay. DPR maintains it and DCP assists and advocates. Future Greenprint plans include improving its surroundings—not removing it.

What is the process for small improvements or installations in the park?

All improvements—no matter the size—require coordination between DCP and DPR. Projects are reviewed for safety, accessibility, and design compatibility. DCP can often raise private funds and execute smaller enhancements more quickly, while DPR provides technical oversight and long-term maintenance support.

Who does DCP answer to for decision-making?

DCP is accountable to its community and to the City of Durham. Major decisions are made by the DCP Board of Directors—a diverse group of community members—and coordinated with DPR and City Council when needed.

PROGRAMMING FAQ: EVENTS AND COMMUNITY USE

What is DCP’s role in curating non-DCP events and rentals?

DCP manages pavilion and park rentals for public and private events. We work with local organizations, small businesses, and community groups to ensure their events align with park guidelines and contribute positively to the space. DCP doesn’t curate every event but ensures quality, safety, and accessibility.

Do events in the park require permits, and who issues them?

Yes. DCP manages rental applications for events in the park and all large-scale events must comply with City of Durham and DPR permitting requirements. DCP acts as liaison to streamline that process.

Where does funding come from for DCP programming like the Food Truck Rodeo, PLAYlist, Storytime, or the Fourth of July Parade?

Each program is supported by a mix of sponsorships, grants, and private donations. For example, the PLAYlist Concert Series is presented with support from local sponsors and state and city grants. Food Truck Rodeo is possible through vendor fees, donations and small business partnerships. And Storytime is entirely funded by private donations and occasional grant funding.

Is the Durham Farmers’ Market run by Durham Central Park?

No. The Durham Farmers’ Market is an independent organization that has a 10 year rental agreement to use the space. DCP provides the pavilion and manages the space, but the market operates its own schedule, vendors, and rules.

What’s the difference between DCP Signature Events, Rentals, Partner Events, and DPR Events?

DCP Signature Events: Produced entirely by DCP (e.g., PLAYlist, Food Truck Rodeo, Storytime).
Partner Events: Co-produced with other organizations (e.g., Liberty ArtsIron Pour, YMCA Trunk or Treat).
Rentals: Independent events hosted by outside groups or individuals using park facilities.
DPR Events: Programs directly managed by Durham Parks & Recreation (like citywide festivals).

How does DCP decide what events to partner with?

We prioritize partnerships that align with our mission—celebrating community, creativity, and inclusion. Events that are free, family-friendly, and culturally enriching are especially encouraged. Additionally, staff time and fund availability are factored into the decision making.

What does DCP do about event complaints or feedback?

We take feedback seriously. Every concern—whether about noise, access, or maintenance—is reviewed by staff and addressed directly with event organizers and DPR. Feedback also informs future planning and park policies. The park cannot discriminate against any renter that follows city rules and guidelines. Feedback is provided to city permitting offices, but DCP cannot turn away a renter over neighborhood complaints.

GREENPRINT FAQ: THE FUTURE OF DURHAM CENTRAL PARK

How did the Greenprint come to be?

The Greenprint evolved from years of listening to the community. Residents and park users voiced desires for more seating, shade, gathering areas, and better park connections. DCP worked with Durham Parks and Recreation and the design firm McAdams to create a shared, community-informed vision for the park’s next ten years.

What public feedback did you seek?

Input came through community workshops, focus groups, surveys, and walk-throughs. Residents, vendors, skaters, bikers, families, and accessibility advocates all contributed. Three design concepts were publicly presented, refined with feedback, and ultimately approved by the City Council in April 2025.

How does the Greenprint fit with the Durham Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan?

The Greenprint is aligned with the Parks and Recreation’s Comprehensive Plan, ensuring Durham Central Park complements broader goals for equity, green space, and downtown connectivity. It’s an officially recognized city plan and the DPR Comprehensive Plan calls for funding improvements in DCP, meaning future public investments can directly support its projects.

Why is DCP raising money for some projects instead of the City paying for all of them?

Public-private partnership is the strength of DCP. While the City will fund major infrastructure, DCP can move more nimbly—raising private dollars to launch smaller projects, pilot ideas, and build momentum. This partnership maximizes public resources while maintaining community ownership and creativity.

When will all improvements be made?

The Greenprint is a 10-year roadmap, implemented in phases as funding allows. The first two projects, the Creekside Gateway and Forest Seating, are already underway in 2025 and we expect to break ground in 2026. Larger projects, like Pavilion upgrades and park connectivity, will follow in subsequent years.

Why are you doing this now?

With downtown growth and new residents, it’s time to ensure the park remains inclusive and accessible for everyone. The Greenprint provides a proactive plan for shaping the park’s next chapter rather than reacting to development pressures. The Covid-19 pandemic both stalled progress while making it very clear that third spaces in downtown are crucial to the health of the city.

Why has it taken this long to update the master plan?

DCP prioritized maintenance, programming, and responding to development pressures for much of the past decade. Once stable and well-supported, we began the planning process to intentionally guide the park’s future, ensuring it reflects Durham’s evolving community.

What’s the strategy for implementing the 10-year plan?

Projects will be implemented in partnership with the City, guided by community input and available funding. DCP will lead fundraising, sponsorship, and advocacy, while DPR manages infrastructure and construction support. Each project builds momentum for the next.

I can’t see any big changes in the Greenprint—what’s really changing?

Many Greenprint changes focus on accessibility, usability, and comfort—shade, seating, paths, and gathering spaces. These are less flashy than large buildings but essential for creating a truly welcoming, functional park for all. Still, major improvements, like the addition of a restroom, permanent stage infrastructure for PLAYlist and similar events, and doubling the square footage of the playground, are also a part of the plan. These bigger changes may not seem striking because there is a lot that happens between a master plan and final designs.

Are you taking away the skate park?

No. The skate park remains an important part of DCP’s identity and will stay in place. Planned improvements will make the area safer, greener, and better integrated into the rest of the park.