A Community Park for Bahama
The Bahama Community Park will be located next to the Fire Department off Bahama Road, in northern Durham. The park which will be open to the public, includes a new trail network that will wind around the property, meander through the woods, edge along a playing field, and traverse the creek. The trail network is designed with community input collected at Bahama Day and thoughtful attention to the property's conservation priorities: preserving plant and animal habitat, ensuring healthy forestland, and protecting the stream buffers and natural wetlands.
Park History
Dr. Marie Roberts was a family physician who delivered babies, cared for families, volunteered at the Fire Department, tended her garden, and generally looked after the town of Bahama. She served her community well.
Prior to her death in 2010, she donated land to the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District with a provision to allow for the construction of a community park. She imagined a place in her beloved Bahama where her friends and neighbors could spend time together and enjoy the wonders of nature.
Since early 2019, Landmatters has facilitated a new collaboration with representatives from the Bahama Fire Department and the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District, to build Dr. Roberts' vision with support from the Triangle Community Foundation.
The Bahama Community Park project merges two neighboring properties located off Bahama Road, into a community park that supports conservation. The park is designed as a low-impact natural area for the citizens of Bahama, with accessible natural pathways for walking, a hiking network of trails for kids and adults, and an open field for playing chase, flying kites, learning about science, or coming together as a community.
A park that invites people into nature, while at the same time protecting the park's natural features that provide environmental benefit to the community, such as: preserving plant and animal habitat, supporting working agricultural fields, ensuring healthy forestland, and protecting the stream buffers, natural wetlands, and waterways that filter water flowing into Lake Michie.
Dr. Roberts cared deeply for her family, friends, neighbors, and their health. The Bahama Community Park is her lasting gift, encouraging them toward the joyful and relaxing benefits of time spent together, outdoors.
Prior to her death in 2010, she donated land to the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District with a provision to allow for the construction of a community park. She imagined a place in her beloved Bahama where her friends and neighbors could spend time together and enjoy the wonders of nature.
Since early 2019, Landmatters has facilitated a new collaboration with representatives from the Bahama Fire Department and the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District, to build Dr. Roberts' vision with support from the Triangle Community Foundation.
The Bahama Community Park project merges two neighboring properties located off Bahama Road, into a community park that supports conservation. The park is designed as a low-impact natural area for the citizens of Bahama, with accessible natural pathways for walking, a hiking network of trails for kids and adults, and an open field for playing chase, flying kites, learning about science, or coming together as a community.
A park that invites people into nature, while at the same time protecting the park's natural features that provide environmental benefit to the community, such as: preserving plant and animal habitat, supporting working agricultural fields, ensuring healthy forestland, and protecting the stream buffers, natural wetlands, and waterways that filter water flowing into Lake Michie.
Dr. Roberts cared deeply for her family, friends, neighbors, and their health. The Bahama Community Park is her lasting gift, encouraging them toward the joyful and relaxing benefits of time spent together, outdoors.
Images of a Low Impact Park
Features of the Bahama Community Park
Over time, the park may evolve and expand to include other amenities.
For now, the park is:
For now, the park is:
- A partnership between the Bahama Fire Department (BFD) and Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD)
- Combined 67 acres, comprised of existing BFD and DSWCD properties
- Open from dawn to dusk, with a gated entrance that will be locked at night
- Managed with best practices for conservation
- One entrance at Bahama Road adjacent to the Fire Department driveway
- A gravel parking area for 20+ cars
- A grassy, unmarked playing field
- A walking path accessible for all abilities
- A natural surface trail network with interpretive signage
- Existing agricultural fields that will remain in agriculture
- Design will conform with all Clean Water Management Trust Fund restrictions and buffers
- Maintenance and management by a future Park Management Committee
- Long-term management resources provided by a fund at Triangle Community Foundation
- No lights, no ball fields, no playground equipment
- No camping, mountain biking, nor horseback riding
- Planning for a bathroom facility will take place in Phase 2
Top photo: Durham Soil and Water Conservation Land, Bahama
Middle: All photos by Landmatters, all rights reserved
Bottom: Lake Michie tributary, Bahama
Middle: All photos by Landmatters, all rights reserved
Bottom: Lake Michie tributary, Bahama
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