COMMUNITY NEWS
By Randy B. Young
Correspondent
Legendary UNC Tar Heel Basketball Coach Dean Smith said that success for a basketball team was all about “the thousands of small, unselfish acts, the sacrifices on the part of the players that result in team building.”
This team ethic that trickles down from successful mentors is evident when star players take the stage in front of the media and credit their teammates, their coaches, the crowd, and even their mothers, but never themselves.
This is the parlance of winners.
Such is the style of the third-year director of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, Atuya Cornwell, who deflects praise for accomplishments but credits his department, his town, and his community.
Here, again, is the style of winning team at Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, and we’ll look deeper at the successes, plans, and challenges facing the department as it stares down the barrel of another academic year.
Excitement is “building”
July is officially “National Park and Recreation Month” each year, and this year’s theme is “Build Together, Play Together: 40 Years of Park and Recreation Month,” according to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
“NRPA’s network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates for public spaces…” the NRPA’s website stated (https://www.nrpa.org/). The 2025 theme highlights contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals and hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers who maintain parks.
July marks the 40th anniversary of National Park and Recreation Month, which each year celebrates a different facet of recreation and its role in local communities. This year’s theme is “Build Together, Play Together: 40 Years of Park and Recreation Month,” according to the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
It’s about the smiles
Cornwell was proud of what his department had accomplished over the past few years, but a crowning jewel had been inclusion.
“We’ve had a list of priorities, items, and upgrades potentially to parks,” he said, “so it’s been super cool for us, and we’ve just been fortunate (thanks to) decisions from (Town) Council with funding. “When you talk about American Rescue Plan Act funding, that helped out with the playground and with Cedar Falls’ field.”
Cornwell was particularly proud of the new inclusive playground in the Chapel Hill Community Center Park, which officially opened on April 16.
“That day, we had some students from Rashkis Elementary School coming by bus for the official opening,” Cornwell said, “and I was able to ride over with a few folks from our team on the bus. The kids were just so happy, smiling. They loved the place.”
According to plan
Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation is moving ahead with two Comprehensive 10-year Master Plans: one for parks and the other for trails. The documents will provide roadmaps for the development of recreational facilities, open spaces, and opportunities over the next decade.
Chapel Hill has completed the project planning and administration phase and is currently in the engagement phase, which will continue through this fall. As such, Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation is seeking community input through the website: “https://engage.chapelhillnc.gov/parks-recreation-master-plan.”
Visitors to the site can use the “Ideas Wall,” “Map,” and “Budget Exercise” to provide feedback. Additionally, the community can explore opportunities for in-person engagement, including a “Friday Fun Night” at the Chapel Hill Community Center from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 1, and a “Family Fun Day” at Hargraves Community Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16.
Analysis and assessment will take place from Winter, 2025 through Fall, 2026, followed by visioning, before presenting the plan to the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) for approval in Winter, 2026.
Cornwell said the engagement and assessment phase has already been enlightening:
“A couple weeks back in the July 4th fireworks, we had 857 touchpoints with people that stopped by our booth,” he said, “but even if people aren’t able to see us at the pop-up (appearances), they have their Engage Chapel Hill (web) page as well.”
Christmas in July
Since the learned community of Chapel Hill moves to the beat of an academic calendar, midsummer feels like the beginning of a new year. With that, Cornwell specified several items on his early Holiday wish list.
“First, the feedback that we’re getting through our comprehensive master plan process is super exciting to us, and we’re excited to see that process through.”
“An interesting piece that we’ve included into our comprehensive planning process is the accreditation piece, though,” Cornwell added. “It’s something that’s going to be important for the Town, but it’s also a reflection on our teammates and what they deliver.”
Cornwell also mentioned a few projects and improvements starting soon.
“In August, we’ll start the process for the redo of the skate park,” he said. “We’ll start work in August, and…it should be finished before next spring—maybe even in the winter.
“Also, with the bond package we have, we’ll also be re-doing the Chapel Hill Community Center climbing wall, which will be more of a 2026 process.”
In terms of programming, Cornwell said his department is hoping to make modest improvements like rejuvenating adult softball but making great strides towards developing a standard of service.
“We’re really excited to have endorsed the Children’s Bill of Rights in sports,” he said. “We’re doing that and connecting with the Aspen Institute’s ‘Project Play’ where we’re able to (align) what we already believe from our Town mission perspective.
Get with the program
In the meantime, Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation is preparing for its late-summer and fall programming schedule.
“There’s our softball, tennis, and pickleball for all ages, volleyball, bocci…” Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation assistant director Nikiya Cherry said. “Basketball registration happens in the fall as well. And if children didn’t make their school team, they’re always welcome to come and play.”
Registration for Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation programs is online at: https://webtrac.townofchapelhill.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/splash.html
Cherry said back-to-school events begin as early as Saturday, August 16 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) with an event for the whole family.
“We always do the traditional book bag giveaway at Hargraves Center,” Cherry said, “We also we offer haircuts and hair braiding…socks and lunchbox giveaways. A lot of organizations play a part in that, from the Police and Sheriff’s Departments to the library and Fire Department.”
To kick off the school year, the Chapel Hill Community Center will host a Campfire and a Movie night on Friday, August 29 at 7:30 with a showing of “Men in Black” and a Car Show and Soap Box Derby on Sunday, September 7 from 2-4 p.m.
To kick off the school year, the Chapel Hill Community Center will host a Campfire and a Movie night on Friday, August 29 at 7:30 with a showing of “Men in Black” and a Car Show and Soap Box Derby on Sunday, September 7 from 2-4 p.m.
Check Chapel Hill Park and Recreation’s schedule for Halloween-themed events, like the Chapel Hill Community Center trunk-or-treat event on Friday, October 24.
“Last year we had about 1,500 people with about 32 car trunks with giveaways, and different town departments also participated, from Chapel Hill Transit and the Fire Department to Housing.
“We also have our Pumpkin Splash,” Cherry said. “We put pumpkins in of our Homestead Aquatic Center pool, and pumpkins do not sink—they float—so participants can come and choose their pumpkin to carve pumpkins and decorate.
Cherry said people are aware of the Town’s summer camps, but many are unaware that after-school programs are also offered.
“We only have it at Hargraves Center,” she said, “where they can get tutoring, have field trips, or have organizations that come in and provide activities.
As the seasons transition into winter and spring, Cherry said that the department organizes college tours for teens at no cost.
“We provide transportation,” she said, “and we try to arrange lunch at the area colleges we’re visiting if possible.
Fun-damentals
With so much unpredictability and federal financial flux, it’s easy to be concerned at the local level.
Cornwell says that the community and its priorities have insulated the agency to some extent from freefall.
“I think we’ve been fortunate,” he said. “We have a great support system through our friends at Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation and Greenways, and community members can also make donations and help support programs directly.
“And we have things built in through our programs as well through fee assistance, so we have the flexibility. The main thing for us is just to make sure that the community has awareness of these opportunities.”
“We know the impact (of parks and recreation) because personally it impacted our team members,” Cornwell said. “Now we’re on the other side and involved in programs, so our goal, and it’s the mission of the Town as well, is that nobody is turned away due to (finances).”
Silver lining
Just as our local community recreation agencies were celebrating their Recreation Month anniversary, Tropical Storm Chantal crashed the party, unleashing nearly 9 inches of rainfall on Chapel Hill, flooding some area parks, including the Chapel Hill Community Center Park and Umstead Park off Umstead Drive.
Chapel Hill Park and Recreation facilities are suffering damage, including the Umstead Park and volleyball courts, the Community Center Inclusive Playground, and Gene Strowd Rose Garden.
“We’re kind of just in that assessment mode,” he said, “but hopefully the Inclusive Playground at the Community Center will probably (be open) later this week.”
“Some of the trails remain closed down,” Cornwell said, “and there are some elements over at Umstead that were impacted—the volleyball courts were definitely impacted.”
Grace and gratitude
Cornwell and his staff were both buoyed and humbled by the outpouring of concern from the local community, however.
Among Cornwell’s greatest goals, however, was that everyone on his team understood how important they were to Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation and to the character of the Town itself.
“I can’t reiterate enough about our valued team members who we work with on a daily basis,” Cornwell said. “Fortunately, we’ve been in a good spot to be in Chapel Hill, where …there’s always interest in supporting our programs.”
“We also want to highlight how our park maintenance team does so much,” Cornwell added, “not just with park and recreation facilities, but managing vegetation. With the storm, they’ve been done so much in collaboration with our public works and emergency managers, police, and fire.”
“Plus, we’re super thankful for all the volunteers that support our programs throughout the year, from youth sports to trail clean-up. On July 31st…we’ll be doing an ice cream social and appreciation for our volunteers.”
“Last week, with the challenge of the storm, there were so many calls we got (asking), ‘How can we chip in and help with clean-up?’ So we’re just thankful for that support, and we’re in a cool lane: we work so others can play.”
Sounds a lot like the parlance of winners.
A Dartmouth College graduate, Randy B. Young first worked as an award-winning advertising copywriter in New Hampshire, then in communications at UNC for over 30 years. He maintained an award-winning newspaper feature covering Recreation and Exercise in the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County. Retired and living in Chapel Hill, Randy continues to write for regional publications both locally and in New England, and his book, And the Stars Flew With Us, is available through Amazon and at independent bookstores. He coaches track at Chapel Hill High and has a photography business, Pierless (sic) Photography. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocal Reporter.press
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