Bolin Creek Greenway

UPDATE – At a Council Meeting on March 28, 2023, Town Council directed staff to conduct public engagement on the alternative alignments in the 2009 report between now and October 17 and to bring a report to the Town Council no later than October 31. Please stay tuned as staff are developing a public process that encourages contributions from diverse voices and the collection of meaningful data.

The Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan, adopted by the Town in 2009, proposes improvements to the corridor along Bolin and Jones Creek to allow for walking and bicycling, including action steps, project prioritization and phasing, land acquisition strategies, and potential renovation recommendations. The corridor for this segment of the Bolin Creek Greenway extends about three miles.

The planning area starts at Estes Drive Extension and follows the creek north through Carolina North Forest under Homestead Road and continuing to a point of connection with the existing Jones Creek Greenway in the future Twin Creeks Park that extends to Morris Grove Elementary School. The “phases” refer to segments of proposed greenway. Access the conceptual plan to learn more about these segments of greenway at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12366/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Conceptual-Master-Plan-

Phase 1a begins at Wilson Park and terminates just before the railroad across Estes Drive for a total of .4 miles. Phase 1b begins at Chapel Hill High School and crosses Bolin Creek and then continues under Homestead Road. Connections exist to the Claremont South and Claremont neighborhoods. Update: These phases have been constructed and are in use.
Phase 2 is intended to tie into the trails at Lake Hogan Farms with connections made to the Jones Creek Greenway. Phase 2 is .61 miles in length. Update: Planning funds shifted to other projects as Town was not ready to initiate this project, and funds were needed for other projects to advance. Included in long-range transportation plans. Not currently programmed for funding or local match. No funding identified.
Phase 3 consists of 1.77 miles of trail, including lateral connectors. Phase 3 provides the majority of centralized east/west connections from the Bolin Creek Greenway corridor to nearby neighborhoods.
Phase 4 continues from the railroad tracks through the PH Craig tract.
Update: Per Town Council (formerly Board of Aldermen) action, alternative alignments were included in adopted plan for both Phase 3 and 4.

Background

Bolin Creek Greenway, Phases 3 and 4, are two of five greenway segments identified in the Town of Carrboro, NC Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan (CMP, 2009; Greenways. Federal Transportation funds for the plan were provided through the NCDOT transportation improvements and prioritization processes. The Town solicited qualifications from firms to complete the conceptual plan in 2008. The Greenways Commission assisted with the review and recommended contracting with a consulting firm, Greenways, Inc.

FAQs

WHAT IS A GREENWAY?

Before identifying the different types of greenways, it is beneficial to clarify what a greenway really is. Since there is no single definition of a greenway, the following combinations of descriptions serve as a comprehensive definition. A greenway can exist in almost every environment and can be used for multiple purposes. For most, a greenway is: a recreational asset; a linear park with multiple access points, a trail system with open space, a connector between neighborhoods, parks, schools and other uses. In other locations, it can be a path through the woods that provides an alternative transportation route for pedestrians and bicyclists, separating them from the dangers of automobile traffic. A greenway can also serve as an important ecological tool for the protection of the natural environment. In downtown districts or places where off road trails are difficult to obtain, a greenway can be a network of sidewalks. Greenways can serve as educational assets like a linear corridor of land left in a natural, undeveloped state that provides public access to unique, scenic and native lands and waters. Additionally, a greenway can be an amenity in urban areas that fosters the kind of community spirit, activism and bonding between local citizens that is presently being lost as metropolitan areas grow larger and larger. For municipalities, it can be a land use planning tool that helps to reduce the impact of flood damage by providing an alternative type of development within the floodplain, an economic asset that increases the real estate value of adjacent properties, thereby increasing municipal tax revenues. Or quite simply, a greenway can be a quiet place from which to draw strength. (Recreation and Park Comprehensive Master Plan, 2006)

http://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4545/Carrboro-Recreation-and-Parks---Comprehensive-Master-Plan?bidId=

Resources

History Timeline

At a Business Meeting on March 31, 2023, Town Council directed staff to conduct public engagement on the alternative alignments in the 2009 report between now and October 17 and to bring a report to the Town Council no later than October 31. Please stay tuned as staff are developing a public process that encourages contributions from diverse voices and the collection of meaningful data.
On February 14, 2023, the Town Council held a Work Session: Bolin Creek Greenway Phases 3 and 4 Public Engagement Options - https://bit.ly/3jMdoee
On June 25, 2019, the Board of Aldermen (BOA) approved a motion to schedule a work session to discuss staff-developed options for a public input process on Bolin Creek Greenway Phases 3 and 4.
On March 21, 2019, the Board of Aldermen held a retreat, the focus of which was how the Board of Aldermen work together and effectively engages and works with the community on controversial topics.
On June 12, 2018, the BOA discussed how a public process will proceed for consideration of the Bolin Creek Greenway Phases 3 and 4. According to the meeting minutes , the BOA voted “to continue discussion and to explore best practices of resolving community conflict in an environmental context during the 2019 board retreat.” [Town of Carrboro - File #: 17-535 (legistar.com)
On June 14, 2016, the Board of Aldermen (Town of Carrboro - File #: 16-184 (legistar.com)) discussed how to proceed with a public process for consideration of Phases 3 and 4. The Town Manager requested whether the Town Council wanted to continue to limit advisory board’s discussion of this topic and all agreed (see pages 9-10 of the minutes: Town of Carrboro - File #: 16-184 (legistar.com) ).
From 2013-2016, various discussions, inquiries, and preparation of options for public engagement on Phases 3 and 4.
On June 21, 2010, the Greenways Commission accepted comments from the public on the conceptual master plan (Carrboro Greenways Commission (townofcarrboro.org)).
On June 15, 2010, the Board of Aldermen accepted a staff update on Bolin Creek Greenway Planning and requested that information be posted on the Town’s website on the proposed design and phases, including a short description, and specifying that no funding is currently available for Phases 3 and 4
On April 19, 2010, the Greenways commission reviewed the conceptual master plan
On March 15, 2010, the Greenways Commission reviewed the conceptual master plan (Carrboro Greenways Commission (townofcarrboro.org)
On January 12, 2010, the Board of Aldermen referred the Conceptual Master Plan to the Greenways Commission.
On December 8, 2009, the BOA adopted A Resolution Receiving an Update on the Town’s Greenway Planning Activities (Resolution No. 69/2009-10.) with the following provisions:

Receive this update and support the continued pursuit of greenway development
Adopt the recommendation for Phase 1A and 1B (1B would not extend any further south than Jolly Branch), and Phase 2.
That all three options for Phases 3 and 4 be included in the concept plan.
That staff be directed to establish a process for public input on Phases 3 and 4.
Direct staff to pursue a municipal agreement with NCDOT to release an RFP and contract with (a) firm(s) to develop construction documents and initiate environmental permitting for Phases 1 and 2 of the greenway trail
12. Subsequent to the adoption of the resolution, MOTION WAS MADE BY JOAL HALL BROUN AND SECONDED BY RANDEE HAVEN-O’DONNELL TO ADOPT THE CONCEPT PLAN WITH THE SPECIFIED CHANGES. VOTE: AFFIRMATIVE SIX, ABSENT ONE (COLEMAN) http://www01.townofcarrboro.org/BoA/Minutes/2009/12_08_2009.pdf

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Bolin Creek Greenway

Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan Maps & Visuals

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