Help Shape the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan
Residents invited to give input via online survey, or at drop-in workshops in February
The City of Durham and Durham County Government, in partnership with the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and the East Coast Greenway Alliance, are excited to announce the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan – a community-driven initiative to assess the transformation of an 18-mile inactive rail corridor into a multi-use trail.
This visionary project aims to establish a 26-mile trail network linking downtown Durham to Roxboro, creating a unique and accessible outdoor experience that reflects the character and heritage of the corridor. Through robust public engagement, the project will explore opportunities to:
- Connect parks, schools, and neighborhoods to the trail
- Highlight historical, cultural, and environmental assets
- Enhance accessibility for all ages and abilities
Drop-In Workshops – Share Your Vision at Your Convenience:
To ensure everyone has a chance to participate, we’re offering two drop-in workshops where attendees can provide their input at their convenience. These informal workshops will be fun and interactive, with stations where you can speak with the planning team, learn more about the project, and provide your input directly on a detailed trail map. Families are welcome – there will be a kid’s table for the little ones to enjoy, making it easy for everyone to join in and share their ideas.
Workshop Dates and Locations:
- Tuesday, February 4, 5 – 7 p.m., Durham County Main Library (300 N. Roxboro St.)
- Wednesday, February 5, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Durham North Regional Library (221 Milton Rd.)
“The Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail represents an incredible opportunity to bring people together, promote healthy outdoor activity, enhance our city’s vibrancy, connect to our unique history, provide an integral bicycle and pedestrian corridor for our city’s active transportation network, and inspire pride in the unique character of Durham,” said Durham City Councilmember Carl Rist.
Durham County Commissioner Michelle Burton added, “The Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan is about more than just a trail – it’s about bringing our community together, honoring Durham’s history, and building a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Share Your Input – Take the Survey:
Whether you attend one of our workshops or engage from home, we encourage everyone to complete our online survey to provide additional feedback on the Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail Plan. Your input will help us shape a trail that reflects the needs and vision of our community.
Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to complete the survey on-site, so you can share your thoughts while exploring the project’s details. Don’t miss this chance to help shape a transformative project for Durham and beyond.
The feasibility study will include an assessment of the corridor’s unique assets, a trail concept plan driven by public engagement, and a comprehensive implementation strategy, ensuring the project aligns with the community’s needs and values.
For more information visit the project website, call David Miller with the Durham-Chapel Hill Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) at 919-503-4118, or email David.miller@dchcmpo.org.