The Town of Chapel Hill said it will begin the process of repairing trails damaged by Tropical Depression Chantal this week.
In a release on October 9, the town said repairs will be conducted by the Town of Chapel Hill Public Works and Parks Maintenance staff.
“Folks will notice barricades blocking the areas where we are actively working,” said Lance Norris, Director of Public Works. “It’s critical for their safety – and the safety of our staff – that they stay out of closed areas while this work is happening.”
Tropical Depression Chantal made its way to Chapel Hill and surrounding areas on July 6, 2025, flooding large portions of the community. Homes and businesses were damaged and destroyed, and public infrastructure like trails and greenways located near water sources took a beating. Atuya Cornwell, Director of Parks and Recreation, said repairing this infrastructure is urgent for the community.
“We know our greenways are the only way for walkers, bikers, and rollers to travel well away from cars,” he said. “We’re eager to reopen these trails and we’re grateful for the patience our community has shown.”
Loren Hintz walks his bike among machinery on the unusable Bolin Creek Trail.
The town provided specific plans for the Bolin Creek trail, the Fordham side path and the Morgan Creek trail.
At Bolin Creek, repairs will begin on the west side of the trail towards Umstead Drive and Umstead Park, and will progress eastward towards the Community Center. The town said this work is expected to last three weeks, weather permitting, and the trail will be reopened one section at a time. Part of the repair process will be narrowing the trail where damage is the most severe to allow its use while more extensive and long-term recovery work takes place.
Work on the Fordham side path will begin once work on the Bolin Creek trail is complete. Repairs will also be focused on the pedestrian bridge between Cleland Drive and Ridgefield Road. This work is expected to take two weeks.
The town also said that it is adjusting existing plans to extend this trail to Willow Drive to include longer-term repairs. Construction on this project will commence in summer 2026.
Last on the list is the Morgan Creek trail, which will receive repairs from the town once work on the Fordham side path is complete.
Back in July, Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson urged people to use other routes until enough repairs have been completed for trails to be reopened, and said the town will be working to provide good alternatives for bikers and walkers.
“They are really dangerous. They’ve sustained structural damage that people just cannot be on,” she said to 97.9 The Hill immediately following the storm. “So for everyone’s safety, we’re asking that people use alternatives. And I think in the coming weeks and months, we’ll be also working on mapping out some ways for people to get around without having to necessarily get in their cars.”
The Town of Chapel Hill said it will continue to provide updates on its progress through its Our Town newsletter, which is released every Thursday.
Featured image via Ben Crosbie/Chapel Hill Media Group
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