Archive for the ‘Parks & Rec’ Category

Can we get Kaboom! to help fund our park?

Monday, May 24th, 2010

At next weeks budget hearing (June 1st, 7:00 PM, City Council chambers), I’ll be asking the City of Raleigh set aside parks and recreation money to help fund the master plan for the future park at Sierra Drive and Lineberry Drive. This is part of a larger list of budget items that we’ve gathered as part of the South West Citizens Advisory Council (SWCAC).

The budget will be tight, but it’s important that we keep asking. As I was reviewing the weekly E-newsletter from the city, I saw an article about the Kaboom! organization helping to fund playground equipment replacement at Southgate Park (see press release below). I then thought to myself, could the Lineberry Alliance apply for a grant for our future park? (more…)

Dig-In Review, Community Gardens Not Allowed

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

The Dig-In workshop conducted by the Advocates for Health in Action was a lot of fun and informative. The opening session was given by Advocates for Health in Action, explaining why they wanted to inform Raleigh on community gardens. During the presentation, one of the most interesting items was one that I have seen before in other presentations about health. It shows the percentage of obese adults in the United States from the 1980s until now.

North Carolina and the Southern states remain among the highest in obesity rates in the country, but the others are not far behind us. Though the reasons for this vary, lack of activity and a change in diet to include more convenience foods are a few of the suspects that community gardens can aid in changing. Access to fresh vegetables that are inexpensive can help all of us eat more green! And as a bonus, gardening is exercise. A group I volunteer with is sponsoring a NC Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, and we hope to see kids all over North Carolina outside gardening with their parents. I think our Lineberry Alliance community garden is worth pursuing. So, why don’t we get started? (more…)

Option E Strikes Gold for Carolina Pines Renovations

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

We told you about the possible changes coming to Carolina Pines in a previous post. Last night, those attending the first public session about the proposed renovations and additions to Carolina Pines Community Center got to see the first set of options.

The session was hosted by Lynn Sullivan, project manager with Raleigh Parks & Recreation and Jeff Rezeli & Corey Bates from New City Design Group. The scope of the project is to expand meeting space, replace the HVAC system, improve site and building access, reconfigure the large club room, and improve energy efficiency (by using green technology wherever possible).

Aerial view of proposed changes to Carolina Pines

Aerial view of proposed changes to Carolina Pines

(more…)

Community Gardens Anyone?

Friday, March 26th, 2010

There may be a great opportunity to build a community garden at the future park on Lineberry & Sierra Drive. If someone in the community has interests, it would be great for you to attend the event mentioned below and report back to the neighborhood on if a community garden is a viable option for the park.

This City of Raleigh announces Advocates for Health in Action’s Community Garden Summit on April 17th.

For more information, (more…)

Carolina Pines, Changes a brewing?

Monday, March 8th, 2010

This was a topic that came up during the South West Citizen Advisory Council (SWCAC) meeting on Monday, March 8, 2010 and I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware of the opportunity to provide input. Carolina Pines Community Center is holding a hearing about future renovations, to include, but not limited to, fixing the HVAC units, adding community rooms, and your ideas. See the information below and attend on March 30, 2010 if you can.

CAROLINA PINES COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD MARCH 30 [2010]

The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department will hold a public meeting 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 30 [2010] to receive public input on design options for renovations to Carolina Pines Community Center, 2305 Lake Wheeler Road
(more…)

Paul Landay Memorial Bench

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Last week, the Paul Landay Memorial Bench was installed in the small dog area of the Carolina Pines Dog Park. Paul passed away in August of 2009 and lived on Leadenhall Way in Trailwood Springs for many years and was very involved in our community. Paul enjoyed his mornings with his dog, Max, at the Carolina Pines Dog Park and gave of his time to keep it clean and nice for all who visited.

Paul Landay Memorial Bench

Paul Landay Memorial Bench

In Paul’s memory, a memorial bench was installed at the dog park. The Trailwood Springs community would like to thank all who contributed towards the purchase of the bench. (more…)

Walnut Creek Greenway Tours

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Tours to Explore the Capital Area Greenway System from Lake Johnson to the Walnut Creek Wetland Center and Beyond

Benson Kirkman and Anne Franklin, with the help of Bill Flournoy and Norman Camp, are organizing a series of tours that will provide early information-gathering in preparation for an annual celebration of Walnut Creek which will begin in September 2011. They’d like to build a cadre of people who know the whole trail first-hand. Get involved early, plan to join them for all or several of these tours.

They’ll be exploring opportunities and challenges for anyone who travels the path.
Some sections are unfinished. We hope that our efforts may result in the completion of the Walnut Creek Greenway from Lake Johnson to the Neuse River. The largest features are Lake Johnson, Pullen Park, the Dorothea Dix Campus, Chavis Park, and the Walnut Creek Wetland Center. One major tributary’s path is also included.

They’ll provide maps, other tools, and a snack. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and carry a water bottle or whatever drink you like. Some tours will include travels by car. Your job will be to do notes, photographs, or drawings to share that capture what you notice during the walk.

The tours are ‘rain or shine’ events unless there is a major storm.

Please call or email Anne Franklin about which tours you will attend: 919-829-5851 or annesfranklin@mindspring.com. They will appreciate a 24 hour notice if you are unable to attend any tours to which you commit. Let them know if they may assist with accessibility.

October 24, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center, walk to the confluence of Rocky Branch and Walnut Creek near the CAT Bus Garage and return.

October 31, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the fishing piers on Lake Raleigh on NCSU’s Centennial Campus. This will combine walking and driving and end back at the piers.

November 7, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the CAT Bus Garage, walk along Rocky Branch, through the Dix Campus and through the NCSU Main Campus. We’ll shuttle back to the start point.

November 14, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30
Meet at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center, walk east to Rose Lane and return.

November 21, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the Lake Johnson Boat House, walk to Trailwood Drive and return.

Thanks to Anne Franklin for submitting this information and organizing these explorations of the Walnut Creek greenway system.

SWCAC Recap October 2009

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

A crowd of around 25 citizens joined at Carolina Pines Community Center to participate in the October 12, 2009 meeting of the South West Citizens Advisory Council (SWCAC). The special guest for this evening was The Honorable Senator Josh Stein, who provided an update from the most recent legislative session and took questions from the audience.

The meeting started off with an update from Officer Upchurch. Over the last month there were 724 calls between September 15, 2009 – October 12, 2009. The calls only cover the SWCAC area. There was a lot of concern about a drug search at 2420 Voyager Circle where we didn’t get a lot of details. Officer Upchurch said that this was a fairly normal search warrant by the Selective Enforcement Unit (SEU), we just usually don’t see SWAT-like officers in our area very often. Some residents were concerned for their safety and believe that things are being kept quiet because NC State students are involved. Other calls of interest included: (more…)

Changes Coming to Carolina Pines

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

From the City of Raleigh E-Newsletter:

RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL APPROVES DESIGN SERVICES FOR RENOVATIONS FOR TWO COMMUNITY CENTERS

The Raleigh City Council has approved the selection of New City Design to provide design services for renovations to the Jaycee and Carolina Pines Community Centers. (more…)

Dam Improvement for Lake Johnson

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008

I know that many of our neighbors enjoy going to Lake Johnson, so I wanted to share this information.

From the City of Raleigh E-Newsletter:

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES LAKE JOHNSON DAM IMPROVEMENTS

The Raleigh City Council voted at its Nov. 18 meeting to confirm its support for a plan to improve Lake Johnson dam. Council members directed City staff to hold a public meeting to allow property owners near the dam and other interested citizens to learn about the project and ask questions.

In June 2006, record rainfall of 7.2 inches from Tropical Storm Alberto caused extensive damage to the spillway of Lake Johnson dam. The City completed emergency repairs within six weeks and subsequently did a follow-up comprehensive engineering evaluation study of the dam and the spillway. The analysis showed the spillway did not have adequate capacity to be in compliance with North Carolina dam safety regulations. The dam at Lake Johnson was originally constructed in 1923.

To bring the spillway into compliance with dam safety regulations, the City plans to armor the dam with articulated concrete blocks. The estimated $4.1 million project will result in additional overtopping protection for the dam. Some trees will have to be removed to accommodate the work. The City expects to award a contract for the project in February. The work is expected to be complete a year later, in February 2010.

A public meeting to explain the project to residents is planned for December. A date and time for the public meeting have not been determined but an announcement will be made when details are finalized. A report on the public meeting will be prepared for the City Council.