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TOWNnews Rebranded as Our Town
Welcome to Our Town, the Town of Chapel Hill's weekly e-newsletter chock-full of news, events, and stories from your local government. We're kicking it off with some fall favorites like the Leave Your Leaves program, spooky Halloween events, and early voting. You can also hear from Mayor Anderson about the bond referendum, read about Homestead Aquatic Center maintenance, and check out the latest on the Greene Tract.
 Take the Pledge to Leave Your Leaves
The leaves are just starting to fall, but it's not too early to Leave Your Leaves. Orange County residents can receive a free yard sign after completing the “Leave Your Leaves” pledge. When you leave your leaves, you:
- create fertile soil and healthy trees
- support local wildlife
- reduce flooding and improve water quality
- avoid pollution, reduce waste, and mitigate climate change
- save time, effort, and money
While we encourage you to leave your leaves, we know that curbside leaf collection is a valued service. If that's a service you prefer to participate in, collection begins Monday, October 21.
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 Homestead Aquatic Center to Close for Maintenance
Homestead Aquatic Center will be closed from October 21, 2024, through early March 2025 to replace two major systems that have reached the end of their useful life.
”We know this facility is important to our community, and the closure will be an inconvenience to so many who routinely use it,” said Parks and Recreation Director Atuya Cornwell. “This important maintenance project will help us continue to provide exceptional service at Homestead Aquatic Center,” he said.
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Cast Your Early Vote at the Library
Early voting started October 17, and the library is an early voting site. (Town Hall is not).
Visit the Orange County Board of Elections website for all the details on early voting, registration, and voter ID requirements.
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Festifall is Back Oct. 26 and Nov. 2
Our 51st annual arts markets return in downtown Chapel Hill. This year, each date has a unique theme.
Oct. 26: Carolina Day, highlighting all things NC and Tar Heel nation.
Nov. 2: Día de los Muertos, uplifting the Triangle's Latino/a/e communities.
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A Fan Favorite Returns: Trunk-or-Treat at Haunted Hill
Grab your costume and join us for Trunk-or-Treat, a Great Pumpkin Decorating contest, and a Movie in the Park! We'll be at Community Center Park (120 S. Estes Dr.) on October 26 for a spooktacularly fun time. Interested in hosting a trunk? Let us know!
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Attend a Spooky Harp Concert
Join us as Leigh Stringfellow brings her harp students, aged 7 to adult, to the library! They will share a Halloween tune and a ghost story. This program explores the connection between music and storytelling, and brings live harp music to the community.
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Rosemary St. is Buzzing with Art
There's a new mural loading on E. Rosemary St. Loren Pease is giving the cement columns at the new parking deck a glow-up. Check our her piece, “Columns of Rosemary," at 125 E. Rosemary St. when you head downtown.
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Council Regular Meeting on October 23
Council will meet for a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 23 at 6 p.m. at Chapel Hill Town Hall (405 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.)
Can't make it to the meeting? Stream it.
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A Message from the Mayor: Bond Referendum on 2024 Ballot
"Polls open for early voting this week. Knowing that many in our community choose to vote before Election Day, I am reaching out with information about an important item on your ballot: Chapel Hill’s 2024 Town Bond Referendum."
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 Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County Endorse Greene Tract Plan
The Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and Orange County all adopted a resolution to receive and endorse the draft land use plan for the Greene Tract. The plan for a proposed development site includes mixed-income housing, natural area and recreation space, and potential school and commercial spaces. "The outcome of a struggle that began in 1972 brings forth a development that benefits the whole Orange County community," said Minister Robert L. Campbell, longtime resident of Rogers-Eubanks neighborhood and leader of the Rogers Road Community Center. The Greene Tract is a 107-acre parcel of land jointly owned by the three jurisdictions. The draft plan is the result of 2024 community engagement efforts to produce a plan created and supported by the community.
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There's Still Time to Share Your Ideas for Downtown Streetscape
We had a great time talking about Downtown Streetscape last week, but the conversation isn't over. You can still add your comments virtually on our new engagement platform until Monday, October 21.
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Explore Examples, Strategies, and Challenges to Building Missing Middle Housing
Join us on October 24 at the Blue Hill Event Center to talk with community partners and experts about reimagining housing, fostering vibrant neighborhoods, and addressing housing affordability, choice, and preservation.
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Comment on the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan
Help our counties and communities to identify hazard risks, understand vulnerability, and develop ways to proactively mitigate disaster risk. Take the survey to share your concerns about hazard risks and your ideas for mitigation when it comes to disasters.
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Deadline Extended: Community Holiday Parade Application
Applications for the 2024 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade are still open! Walk, dance, bike, and scoot with us this holiday season.
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Apply by Monday, October 21 at 5 p.m.
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It's Fall, Y'all. Get Out and Enjoy a Trail |
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 October 19 is Great Trails State Day. It's a special day just for North Carolina trails, when we can appreciate, showcase, promote, and advocate for trails in all of our communities.
Did you know?
- Chapel Hill first started planning for greenways in 1964
- Carolina North Forest features 10+ miles of singletrack, which is one of the more extensive networks of singletrack in the Triangle!
There's a trail for everyone in Chapel Hill. Call a neighbor or friend, lace up your shoes or grab a set of wheels, and get outside on a trail!
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New for the Week of October 20
Northbound turning lane on Fordham Blvd. near Ephesus Church Rd. tree work
October 21 - October 25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The turn lane will be narrowed but still accessible.
Ongoing
300 Market St. ADA enhancement work
October 3 - November 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The sidewalk will be closed during construction hours and reopened when possible in the evening.
S. Columbia St. Carrington Hall work
Present to December 2024
A pedestrian detour is in place along S. Columbia St. near Medical Dr. as crews work on Carrington Hall.
Upcoming
Pope Rd. near Ephesus Church Rd. culvert repair
Dates to be determined.
For more information, email Jcmanuel-nelson@ncdot.gov
All road work depends on the weather. Schedules may change accordingly. Google Maps and Waze show the most up-to-date traffic conditions
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