So in February we had a successful planting of nearly 100 new trees in the park! The survival rate looks…just OK, but that’s still a lot of trees. Anyways, with drier weather and the new trees starting to leaf out, I wanted to ask for volunteers to adopt small sections of the park – just a few new trees each – and water the new trees once a week(ish) unless we get really good rains. I plan to do mine with creek/pond water and a (half-full) 5 gallon bucket, but be creative! I think it would be a great project with kids.
If you’re willing to do this fairly regularly, please let me know, as well as where in the park is handy for you. I could meet folks as convenient and walk through sections.
Also, for anyone that got a street tree, I hope you’ll water them regularly during even moderate dry spells this first year, and during longer dry spells for the first 3 years.
It’s now time to get excited about the one and only Beaver Queen Pageant – one of the weirdest, funniest, and bestest fundraisers around!
The Intro Episode of the 17th Annual Beaver Queen Pageant: World Wide Wood will be streaming directly to your living rooms this Saturday evening (5/8) at 6pm.
Tune in on our website at www.beaverqueen.org to meet the contestants and vote for your favorite one(s).
The Beaver Queen Pageant is the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association‘s biggest fundraiser of the year. So slap on a tail, get weird, and have some fun while supporting your local land trust and watershed organization!
It’s time yet again to get outside and enjoy the sweet sounds of music in Northgate Park. Grab a picnic, grab some fully vaccinated friends, and come out this Saturday May 8th from 3-4pm at the old Museum Foundation to hear the acoustic croonings of local musicians Dissimilar South.
Northgate Park BONUS Food Truck Pop-Up Wednesday May 5, 5:00-8:00 pm, Parking lot by the Tennis Court (300 W. Club Blvd, Durham)
NPNA is adding a BONUS park pop-up on Wed May 5th in addition to our traditional 4th Thursday – Mark your calendar for the 4th Thursdays (5/27, 6/24, 7/22, 8/26, 9/23, and 10/28)
Come join us in the nice May weather and observe Cinco De Mayo by supporting local taco and dessert trucks: El Jefecito & LocoPops!
El Jefecito: Chef Laureano Cortez Hernandez, has cooked and catered for over 20 years in Durham finest (Nana’s, Old’s Pop, and Magnolia Grill!) El Jefecito specializes in gourmet tacos with flavorful toppings like Steak Taco with roasted sweet peppers, grilled onion and horseradish OR creative tacos, say…cauliflower taco & potato hash taco!
LocoPops: What a way to pair delicious taco dinner with some Mexican-style popsicles, known as paletas from LocoPops, a locally hand-crafted pop. Here are some refreshing, fun and seasonal flavors: Mexican chocolates, Mighty Mojito, Cookies and Cream, Raspberry Hibiscus and Strawberry Lemonade.
No Pre-Order needed. Accept cash and cards.
IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
El Jefecito & LocoPops staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.
Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order/pickup
Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!
NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.
You might be aware (and may even have voted) on the art installation for the crossing at Club. More information can be here
The crosswalk art is being installed on May 22nd (May 29th rain date). Volunteers are needed to set-up, paint, and clean up. Because of time constraints due to having to detour traffic children cannot volunteer, but are welcome to stroll by and watch the process!
Candy will be there and doing a lot of painting, but about 20 more painters are needed to basically “paint by #/ color swatch “. Stencils will be used for some parts, and Candy will also be outlining and blocking areas. You’ll need to be detail oriented and able to follow directions.
The Walltown Community Association (WCA) continues to organize against the displacing power of development in Durham and we invite you to stand with us!
At the end of July 2020, the WCA formed the Northgate Mall Neighborhood Council (NMNC), which includes 12 residents from seven neighborhoods: Walltown, Northgate Park, Duke Park, Trinity Park, Trinity Heights, Watts Hospital Hillandale, and Old West Durham. The purpose of the NMNC was to spatialize a collective community vision–centered around Walltown’s strategic goals–for the redevelopment of the mall property by creating a set of alternative design maps we can use to engage with the property owners and stakeholders (Northwood Investors, Duke University, and the City and County of Durham). We recently surveyed Durham residents (November 2020 thru January 2021) and received 386 responses providing feedback on our design goals and alternative maps.
On Saturday, April 24th at 10am, we are holding a press conference to:
Provide updates on our Northgate Mall organizing efforts
Reaffirm our vision for neighborhood growth without displacement
Amplify the voices of residents negatively impacted by gentrification
Share survey data on community design goals for the redevelopment
Give a call to action for those who want to join us in this struggle
The event will be held at Walltown Park in the baseball field close to Guess Road. Parking is available at the recreation center (1308 W Club Blvd, Durham, NC 27705). You can walk over from there. Masks are required to participate. If you do not have one, we will provide one for you. We will also have hand sanitizer.
As you consider our invitation, please check out our website at http://www.dataworks-nc.org/walltown. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
Northgate Park Food Truck Pop-Up Thursday April 22, 2021, 5:00-8:00 pm, Parking lot by the Tennis Court (300 W. Club Blvd, Durham)
We are back on our traditional Food Truck on the 4th Thursday schedule – Mark your calendar (4/22, 5/27, 6/24, 7/22, 8/26, 9/23, and 10/28), plus keep your eyes out for Bonus Pop-Up Announcement outside of these dates as well.
NGP Food Truck Pop-Up is welcoming back 2 food trucks: Las Gringas & Dusty Donuts
Las Gringas “Nacho Average Taco Truck”: In addition to their delicious taco and burrito offerings, check out Marco’s mouthwatering dishes; Dinamita Shrimp (fried shrimp tossed with a delicious chipotle ancho sauce), Nacho Borracho (homemade chips, lettuce, black beans, pico de gallo, the protein of your choice, queso, chile ancho/chipotle sauce) and Mexi-Rolls (homemade eggrolls filled with roasted corn, onions, beans accompanied with our chipotle ancho sauce).
Dusty Donuts: Hot and fresh mini donuts made in front of you – enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth mini donuts by themselves OR get them dusted & drizzled with caramel, white or dark chocolate, cream cheese, buttercream, marshmallow, or maple syrup.
No Pre-Order. Accept cash and cards
IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO: Las Gringas & Dusty Donuts staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.
Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order/pickup
Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!
NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.
This Saturday from 3-4pm, Northgate Park local legend Chessa Rich will be playing an outdoor concert at the old Museum Foundation. Bring your family, bring your friends (all socially distant of course) to an afternoon of sweet sounds and mild spring time temps. While the concert is free there will be a chance to make donations to the artists. Please consider supporting our local music scene especially during these times of struggle for all musicians.
Be on the lookout for more NG Park concerts on the way over the next month or so!
Just a reminder that the April meeting of the NPNA board will feature a panel re NPO, Neighborhood Protective Overlay. The panel will be followed by a discussion time.
The meeting is Thursday, April 15, 2021, 7:00 PM via zoom.
The recent unexpected demolition of a house in the neighborhood, followed almost immediately by the loss of several old growth trees, has resulted in increasing concern among many of you regarding finding a means for the neighborhood to have some say/control in how the neighborhood develops.
The NPNA Board has given over the April meeting to serve as a forum for discussion on this topic encompassing what tools may be available including Neighborhood Protective Overlays, which have been employed by other Durham Neighborhoods, and/or the establishment of a local historic district.
We have put together a panel including
Sara Lachenman - preservation designer and owner of Four over One Design
Tom Miller - planning commission member
Nate Baker - Urban planner and planning commissioner
Kari Grace - Northgate Park resident and urban planning professional
who have generously agreed to share their expertise and experience with the rest of us.
Please join us to learn more and connect with those neighbors who share your concerns!
Northgate Park Neighborhood Association Food Truck Pop-Up in the Park Thursday April 8, 2021, 5:00-8:00pm Parking lot by the Tennis Court (300 W. Club Blvd, Durham)
Northgate Park Food Truck Pop-Up Series is welcoming back 2 food trucks: BULKOGI KOREAN BBQ & JAM ICE CREAM
Bulkogi: Delicious Korean BBQ, Bibimbap, Mandu (Korean dumplings), Bul-Dogs and more. *Pre-order starts Wed 7 April at 5:00pm –> https://streetfoodfinder.com/NCBulkogi Accept cards only for walk-up service.
Jam Ice Cream: Soft serve, sundaes, milkshakes, or shaved ice made with fresh local ingredients from the Triangle. *No pre-order needed. Accept cards and cash.
To our new neighbors – NPNA brings food truck events and local entertainment to the neighborhood from March- October, every 4th Thursday, 5:00-8:00 pm. Mark your calendar – 4/22, 5/27, 6/24, 7/22, 8/26, 9/23, and 10/28 – do check the listserv calendar for updates
IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Bulkogi & Jam Ice Cream staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. In addition, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.
* Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order/pickup * Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck * Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available * Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low * Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!
NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.
