<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote">PLEASE CROSS POST</div><div class="gmail_quote"><br><div dir="ltr">Forwarding by RQ; please feel free to share wherever, disregard/delete if not interested. Please excuse any missed duplicate postings. <br>------------------------------<br><div style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in">Good afternoon, </span><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span><br></div><div><div style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The S. Ellerbee Creek Trail is reopen! This is the third trail to be renovated and reopened as part of the City's trail repair project that focuses on fixing some of the oldest trails that are in the worst condition. </span><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in">Built in 1995, the S. Ellerbee Creek Trail is an approximately one-mile trail and greenway corridor that connects Club Boulevard and Trinity Avenue. The S. Ellerbee Creek Trail receives thousands of visitors every year and is used for recreational activities and as an alternative transportation route. This trail travels through several neighborhood areas and connects the Ellerbee Creek Trail with the Downtown Trail. Legend has it, trail users may have a chance to catch a glimpse of former Mayor Steve Schewel out for a run on the S. Ellerbee Creek Trail on a warm weekend morning. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in">The southern end of</span><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in"> the S. Ellerbee Creek Trail is the site of the future <a href="https://www.durhamnc.gov/1616/South-Ellerbe-Project" title="https://www.durhamnc.gov/1616/South-Ellerbe-Project" target="_blank">South Ellerbe Restoration Project</a> (808 W. Trinity Avenue), a </span><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in"><span style="font-size:10pt">constructed wetland and stream restoration project that will filter polluted stormwater from part of downtown and nearby neighborhoods. </span></span><span style="font-family:"inherit",serif;font-size:10pt">Part of the S. Ellerbee Creek Trail exists in a greenway easement dedicated by the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association (ECWA). The contiguous construction of this trail would not have been possible without partnership and support from ECWA. The S. Ellerbee Creek Trail travels through </span><a href="https://www.ellerbecreek.org/pearl-mill.html" title="https://www.ellerbecreek.org/pearl-mill.html" style="font-family:"inherit",serif;font-size:10pt" target="_blank">ECWA’s Pearl Mill Preserve</a><span style="font-family:"inherit",serif;font-size:10pt">, a protected five-acre property between Green Street and Urban Avenue. The Pearl Mill Preserve property was rescued from invasive plants and now native trees, including hackberry, walnut, and persimmon are able to flourish and Barred Owls and other wildlife can make their homes in the Preserve. </span><span style="font-family:"inherit",serif;font-size:10pt"> </span><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The S. Ellerbee Creek and Ellerbee Creek Trails, the Downtown Trail, and the American Tobacco Trail are part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile corridor that travels through 15 states to connect Maine and Florida. In 2022, the S. Ellerbee Creek and Ellerbee Creek Trails and the American Tobacco Trail were accepted into the NC State Trails program. <u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:10pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;border-width:1pt;border-style:none;border-color:windowtext;padding:0in">DPR is pleased to have the Ellerbee Creek, W. Ellerbee Creek, and S. Ellerbee Creek Trails all re-opened for residents and visitors to enjoy. On any given day,  herds of excited children can be found on any one of the “Ellerbees” as they are fondly called by locals, running and romping, learning to ride scooters or bikes, experiencing public art, and interacting with nature.  </span><span style="font-family:"inherit",serif;font-size:10pt">Come visit the newly resurfaced trail, post a selfie to social media, and tag @dprplaymore to help us celebrate the re-opening of the trail. </span><u></u> <u></u></p></div><div id="m_-6577742064638699991gmail-m_2159854016466864855Signature"><div><div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black"><br></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="color:black">Lindsay R. Smart, AICP, CPTED-CPD</span></b><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:black">Sr. Park & Trail Planner</span></i><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">  </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:black">Parks and Recreation</span></i><span style="color:black">, City of Durham </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">400 Cleveland Street </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Durham, NC 27701 </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">P 919-560-4355, ext. 27220 </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Lindsay.Smart@DurhamNC.gov<span style="color:black">  </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="http://dprplaymore.org/" target="_blank">DPRPlayMore.org</a><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Constantia,serif;color:black">Play More: Connecting our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning.</span></i><span style="color:black"> </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i style="font-size:11pt;color:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-weight:inherit"><span style="font-size:8pt;color:black">Email correspondence to and from this sender may be subject to the </span></i><i style="font-size:11pt;color:inherit;font-variant-ligatures:inherit;font-variant-caps:inherit;font-weight:inherit"><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:"inherit",serif;color:black">North Carolina Public Records Law and can be disclosed to third parties.</span></i><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black"> </span></p></div></div></div></div></div>
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