News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (Feb. 6, 2025)
On Oct. 7, 1978, Mayor Robert Drakeford challenged then Police Chief John Blackwood to a race -- bike against car. The bike (and our first bicycling Mayor) won! Save the date to celebrate Dr. Robert Drakeford and the grand opening of the new Drakeford Library Complex on Friday, Feb. 21! Also in this issue, read Mayor Foushee's important community message, catch up on Council news, and get ready for a new playground underway at Baldwin Park!
The Great Race
We're are thrilled to learn more about the late Mayor Robert Drakeford through family members who are providing historical documentation from his tenure as Carrboro’s first Black mayor, elected in 1977 and serving until 1983. These materials will be displayed to the public during the grand opening of the Drakeford Library Complex set for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21. Be sure to save the date (see the post below about the grand opening in this issue).
Read these recent stories about Dr. Drakeford from Orange Slices, the Daily Tar Heel, and the Triangle Blog Blog. Available at:
The Town of Carrboro is a welcoming and inclusive community. We will continue to build trust with our community and to protect the lives and property of every Carrboro resident. We are also dedicated to fairness and excellence in all that we do for and with the community.
We want to encourage every resident to visit http://www.carrboronc.gov for updates and information about community events, projects, our local government and so much more. Sign up to receive updates by email or text at https://www.carrboronc.gov/list.aspx We are a trusted resource for the community.
We stand ready to answer questions and to share resource information when needed. Please continue to email council@carrboronc.gov
Yours in community,
Mayor Foushee
.
Black History Month Celebrated in Carrboro
The Town of Carrboro is proud to recognize and celebrate Black people and Black history in Carrboro and across the nation during Black History Month.
We invite and encourage all Carrboro residents to participate in local Black History Month events and to learn about and celebrate the lives, history, and contributions of Black people during this month and throughout the year.
Check out all the great events planned and organized by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department.
For more information, please contact Recreation Supervisor Michelle Blume at mblume@carrboronc.gov
Black History Legend: Dolores Hogan-Clark
Watch the Chrishawn Darby Quartet
Chrishawn Darby Quartet
It was a perfect Sunday afternoon with cool jazz and community! Chrishawn Darby Quartet played today (Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025) for the Town of Carrboro's kickoff to the Black History Month concert and lecture series at the Carrboro Century Center.
Watch the Lecture featuring NC Superintendent of Instruction Maurice "Mo" Greene
NC Superintendent of Public Instruction
Thank you to NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green for speaking at the Town of Carrboro's Black History Month Lecture Series. On Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, Superintendent Green spoke of his commitment to ensuring all students in public schools have access to a high-quality education.
Carrboro's Green Neighborhoods Grant Program now accepting applications
As part of its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) implementation, the Town of Carrboro announces the opening of the application period for the 2025 Green Neighborhoods Grant Program. Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will either reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.
The Carrboro Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2017 to expand the Town’s existing climate action efforts and emphasize measures that community members can implement to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The plan’s goal is to raise the community’s awareness and involvement in climate action and the enhancement of ecosystem resilience. In 2020, the Town updated the CCAP goals to recommend an 80% reduction of 2010 emissions levels by 2030. This was reaffirmed in the 2022 Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan. To achieve this goal, widespread community participation in every aspect of the plan is essential.
The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately benefiting the entire community.
Learn more and apply for the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program here.
New Playground coming soon to Baldwin Park
CARRBORO, NC -- The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources Department (RPCRD) is excited to announce the upcoming replacement of playground equipment at Baldwin Park, 400 Broad St.
The new playground design will feature a main play structure catering to children ages 2-5 and 6-12 years old, with inclusive elements incorporated to enhance accessibility for all users. These upgrades will provide a more engaging, safe, and inclusive environment for families in the community.
The Town of Carrboro looks forward to completing this project and enhancing Baldwin Park as a welcoming and vibrant space for all residents. During the improvements, the playground area will be closed through June 2025. The Baldwin Park Community Garden, pavilion, and basketball court will remain open to the public.
About Baldwin Park and the Playground Improvements
Located in a historically Black neighborhood, Baldwin Park spans 2.5 acres and provides vital recreational space for the community. Baldwin Park is named in honor of Henry W. Baldwin, who originally donated the land to St. Joseph C.M.E. Church. The church later sold the property to the Town of Carrboro with the request that it be named after Baldwin.
Community engagement played a key role in shaping the playground improvement project. The RPCRD hosted an engagement event specifically for residents within a 10-minute walkshed of the park. Additionally, a survey was conducted to assess park usage and community preferences. Findings revealed that 70% of respondents favored playground improvements over other amenities.
The RPCRD collaborated closely with the Town's Planning Department to develop a walkshed map of Baldwin Park, ensuring outreach efforts were targeted effectively. The department also partnered with the Communication & Engagement Department to design and distribute surveys. Town of Carrboro employees went door to door distributing flyers that included details about the survey and an invitation to a community feedback event.
The $277,000 project is under contract with Barrs Recreation of Pittsboro, NC.
The Coven brings workshops for entrepreneurs
Join us as The Coven (a coworking community focused on creating spaces of belonging to help women, non-binary, and trans individuals grow in their careers) co-founders, Alex West Steinman and Erinn Farrell, hit the road to inspire and connect bold entrepreneurs, build vibrant communities, and spark purposeful change. Through transformative workshops, we’re bringing the magic of The Coven to cities across the country - like Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Growing Purpose into Your Work
Living a purposeful life goes far beyond career milestones or surface-level success—it’s about connecting deeply with what truly drives you and channeling that passion into the work you do. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions and pressures, uncovering your “why” and aligning it with your career is more important than ever.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25 Time: 8- 9:30 a.m. Location: The Chapel Hill Public Library Registration Online
In this workshop, Alex and Erinn will share their journey from navigating demanding careers in award-winning advertising agencies to founding a brand that sparks creativity and possibility. Through this session, you’ll learn how they aligned their personal purpose with impactful work, embraced authenticity, and cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset to fuel both personal fulfillment and professional success. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill.
Save the Date: Drakeford Library Complex Grand Opening
Save the date for the grand opening of the Drakeford Library Complex at 203 S. Greensboro St.
The event is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 and will feature speakers, a ribbon cutting and light refreshments. Tours will be offered following the event throughout the day until 6 p.m.
Background:
The $42 million development will be the future home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library. The facility will also provide a permanent home for the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department; the Orange County Skills Development Center; and performance/multipurpose uses. The Town of Carrboro/Orange County public facility will provide opportunities for education, art, and community connection.
More information:
The Town of Carrboro posts regular updates to the community on the Town website and through social media. Sign up to receive Carrboro Town News updates.
ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC
Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.
2025 Winter-Spring Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide Now Available
The 2025 Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Winter-Spring Program Guide is now available! This guide covers programs and events from January through April, including Spring Athletic Leagues, and registration for 2025 Summer Camps.
Register at the Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro St. during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and online via RecConnect at www.carrbororec.org
If you are a new participant who wishes to register online, please be sure to set up via our online registration site (linked below). Please allow at least 3 business days for account review and approval.
If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department at 919-918-7364.
It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 11 public lots all over town.
Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
