“Viewpoints” is a place on Chapelboro where local people are encouraged to share their unique perspectives on issues affecting our community. If you’d like to contribute a column on an issue you’re concerned about, interesting happenings around town, reflections on local life — or anything else — send a submission to viewpoints@wchl.com.
Are Chapel Hill’s Parks at Risk of Development?
A perspective from Lynda Haake
I am very concerned for Chapel Hill’s future if the current Legion property plan proposed by the Town Council is approved. This 36-acre tract has been a natural area full of mature trees, a pond that supports wildlife and an open space for recreation for decades and enjoyed by many. The current plan proposes the building of affordable housing units, draining the pond and greatly reducing the tree canopy in favor of a much smaller community park.
While affordable housing is a serious concern, it shouldn’t mean that we need to sacrifice our natural areas to achieve it. It should not be a choice between affordable housing or trees/nature. It seems that our Town leadership is willing to sacrifice our natural areas instead of holding developers’ feet to the fire by mandating more affordable units in every new development. Perhaps their hands are tied by the form based code implemented by previous administrations. Nevertheless, it should be within the Town’s power to make changes to current regulations to get a handle on reaching their affordable housing goals instead of sacrificing our parks.
I urge the Town leadership to find a better way to reach our affordable housing goals. I, personally, do not want this town to turn into a cement desert, especially in light of rising temperatures and increasing flooding/drought events caused by climate change. We need our parks and natural areas to meet our climate action plan goals. Please listen to your residents and keep the Legion property a community park for all to enjoy.
“Viewpoints” on Chapelboro is a recurring series of community-submitted opinion columns. All thoughts, ideas, opinions and expressions in this series are those of the author, and do not reflect the work or reporting of 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
I have not seen one plan to turn this 36 acre tract (I trust you on the size) into a cement desert. I’ve seen proposals for a nice park to accompany very needed housing in a long developed part of town. It’s literally across the street from a parking deck and major business center (Europa Center). Much better to fill in rather than sprawl outward especially when it can meet both park and housing needs. A park was envisioned in part of the space when the town acquired it but only for a part of the space. Please don’t save we need to save a park that doesn’t exist. The American Legion certainly didn’t envision it as a park when they were there as I’ve been here long enough to recall the. I trespassing signs and being chased off there. Certainly wasn’t a park then nor intended entirely as a park by the town. Let’s meet as many needs of the community as we can with both a park and nearby housing so people can walk to enjoy the park and to the local shops and maybe even to work.
The 2013 Comprehensive Parks Plan is still in effect and combines Ephesus Park with the American Legion property to create a community park. Subsequent community surveys and the 2017 American Legion Task Force have listed a park as the top priority for the former Legion property. The Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission petitioned Council to create a park on the entire property in 2019. Chapel Hill’s 2022 Interactive Parks Map currently lists the entire American Legion property as “Open space reserve areas (land reserved for conservation purposes)”. Substantial affordable housing already exists next to the property with two commercial centers nearby. The town council is now spending considerable resources on consultants to create “Complete Communities”. The Blue Hill area has all the elements of such a community with the exception of sufficient green space/parkland.