Community members are invited to take an online survey and attend pop-up events to share their input.

The City of Durham wants your ideas on how to shape the future of the Durham Athletic Park (DAP). To collect those ideas, the City has begun a comprehensive study, including an online survey, to determine the best uses of the historic park. Located at 500 W. Corporation St., the park has served many purposes over its 99-year history, and the City is now asking, what's next?

What You Need to Know

• The City of Durham announces its launch of the feasibility study for the historic Durham Athletic Park.
• Durham residents are invited to fill out a survey by February 28 or attend pop-up events to share their vision for the park's future.
• The Durham City Council selected Perkins&Will to lead the feasibility study.

Through various community engagement events, pop-ups, and online and paper surveys, the study aims to gather input from residents, business owners, partners, and stakeholders to create a vision that honors the park's legacy while considering opportunities to transform it into a vibrant, accessible, and community-centered space.

"The DAP holds deep sentimental value for many," said Jina Propst, director of the City's General Services Department. "We're working alongside experts to listen to all voices and create a plan that reflects the needs and wants of our community while also preserving its historic character."

Located in Durham's rapidly growing Warehouse District, this 5.42-acre space is a cherished piece of Durham's history. Formerly home to the Durham Bulls, the park became famous for its appearance in the 1988 film Bull Durham, which put Durham on a global stage. Today, the City owns the facility and is co-managed by the Durham Bulls, who maintain the property and provide community programming.

Recognizing the need to explore how the park can evolve into a space that creates a more accessible and vibrant use of the facility, the City issued a Request for Proposals in 2024 for a team to lead community engagement and visioning efforts. In October 2024, the City Council awarded a $179,000 contract to Perkins&Will, an architect and design firm with an office in Durham, to lead the feasibility study.

The study consists of three phases:

• Phase 1: Data Collection and Community Input
  • The City will collect feedback to identify community needs and guide the project's goals.
• Phase 2: Shaping the Vision
  • Guided by community ideas and expert analysis, the City will create a planning framework for the park's future and seek additional community input.
• Phase 3: Finalizing the Plan
  • The City will present the study's findings, including potential scenarios for the park, to City Council.

The community can share their thoughts and ideas by completing an online survey by February 28 or attending pop-up events where they can learn more about this effort and provide feedback in person. For updates on event locations, dates, and the project's progress, visit the City's project webpage.

About the City of Durham General Services Department

The General Services Department builds and maintains City properties to make Durham a great place for people to live, work, and play. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, the department's core functions include the acquisition and sale of properties, design and management of new construction and renovation projects, building maintenance, landscaping and urban forestry services, cemeteries management, sustainability and energy management, cultural and public art program management, and supporting the nonprofit Keep Durham Beautiful.

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