News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(May 20, 2025) 

Happy Public Works Week! It's time to thank the wonderful team that helps keep our town running with their hard work, professionalism and creativity, often behind the scenes, every day and all year round. This Friday, we're celebrating park improvements including the rad pump track at Martin Luther King Jr. Park and a new playground for Baldwin Park. Remember, Monday is a holiday. On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

Celebrate Public Works Week in Carrboro

May 18 - 24, 2025 is Public Works Week in Carrboro. A national observance, this year’s Public Works Week theme is “People, Purpose, Presence”, highlighting three cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve in their communities everyday.

Carrboro Public Works makes important contributions to the community by providing:

• reliable solid waste collection
• street, greenway, and right-of-way maintenance
• snow removal
• stormwater facility maintenance
• mowing and landscaping of Town properties and rights-of-way
• tree trimming and removal
• ball field preparation and maintenance
• facility maintenance
• vehicle and equipment maintenance
• cemetery maintenance and cemetery plot sales
• and more!

Help us celebrate Carrboro Public Works and show our gratitude for their role in rebuilding, improving, and protecting our transportation and solid waste systems, public buildings, and other facilities and services for our citizens.

Learn more about Public Works Week

Join us Friday for Freight Train Blues

Enjoy Charly Lowry and Thomas Rhyant Jr.  at this week’s Freight Train Blues Concert, Friday, May 23, 2025. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for a free evening of free live music on the lawn. Beer and food will be available for purchase at the events. 

The series is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro, WUNC 91.5 FM, and The Forests at Duke.

Public parking  is available and free in downtown Carrboro. 

Learn more about the  2025 Freight Train Blues Concert Series.

"Move with the Mayor" continues this May

The Mayor® Spring Challenge continues this May, as Mayor Barbara Foushee promotes physical activity and forging meaningful social connections to strengthen our collective health and resilience. This Saturday, come out to learn about sound therapy at the Carrboro Century Center! More information is offered in this issue of CTW.  

Mayor Foushee will be directly supporting various upcoming events and invites community participation in the following: 

• Participating in Bike Month events.
• Challenging Town employees to have walking meetings and increase daily activities. 
•  Encouraging children to walk or ride their bikes to school through Safe Routes to School.
•  Providing motivation for all residents to take care of their mental health.
• Participating in Mental Health Mondays offered by the Carrboro Police Department at the Drakeford Library Complex this May.

Learn more about Move with the Mayor

Carrboro Celebrates Park Improvements 

CARRBORO, NC – On Friday, May 23, the Town of Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department welcomes community members to celebrate park improvements at ribbon cutting events set for 9 a.m. at Baldwin Park, and at 2 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

New Playground at Baldwin Park, 400 Broad St. 
Come celebrate the new playground at Baldwin Park! 

The new playground design features a main play structure catering to children ages 2-5 and 6-12 years old, with inclusive elements incorporated to enhance accessibility for all users. These upgrades will provide a more engaging, safe, and inclusive environment for families in the community.

Pump Track at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1120 Hillsborough Road 
The Town contracted with Nature Trails, a trail design and construction firm, for the renovation work at the pump track. Improvements have resulted in a slightly different track layout and better drainage. Nature Trails designed and built two pump tracks to cater to beginner and intermediate riders.

Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2989 

Save the Dates: Bike Month Events

Make way for Bike Month rolling into Carrboro this May. 

Check out all the Bike Month events in and Carrboro. They are the perfect opportunity to experience the joys and health benefits of biking, to get outside during the spring season, and to see and experience the community at a different scale and pace.

• Wednesday Night Bike Ride - Social Ride - Wednesday, May 28 at 7 p.m. starting at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 
• Ride into Pride - Queer Ride Carrboro - Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m.  starting at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Learn more about Bike Month and all the exciting events rolling your way!

Memorial Day Holiday 2025

Town of Carrboro offices will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.

The Orange County Veterans memorial committee is planning a Memorial Day Program at 8:45 a.m. Monday, May 26 at the Veterans Memorial Site, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC. Learn more about the 2025 Memorial Day Program.

The annual Memorial Day Proclamation from Mayor Foushee will be posted online.

The proclamation acknowledges Memorial Day in Carrboro as a day to remember those who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces, and to the victims of war around the world. Mayor Foushee encourages all residents to affirm and celebrate Carrboro’s commitment to nonviolent, peaceful solutions to conflict.

Solid Waste Holiday Collection
Yard waste and loose leaves will not be collected on Monday, May 26 due to the holiday. Residents who normally receive yard waste or loose-leaf collection on Monday be serviced on Tuesday. 

Town Council Update

The Town Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20.  

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream.

• The agenda for this meeting is available  online
• Watch the meeting live on  YouTube. 
• Interpretation in English and Spanish will be provided for this meeting. Se proporcionará interpretación en inglés y español para esta reunión.

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, May 13 for a work session. 

Watch the livestream on  YouTube .

Learn more by reading the full Town Council Update.

New Parking Signage for Carrboro

The Town of Carrboro is installing new wayfinding signage in the downtown area and in public parking lots. 

The wayfinding signage program was initiated by the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority in 2018 with design work, and the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The wayfinding signage is funded by the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority with support from Orange County. 

A Town contractor as well as Carrboro Public Works staff are installing the signage. The wayfinding signage will make it easier for visitors to find and identify free public parking in Downtown Carrboro. Additional signage may be added in the future for other landmarks in downtown pending financing.

Learn more about parking in Carrboro at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2774/Downtown-Parking

NAACP Awards - Defenders of Civil Rights 

Destination 2055 for the Triangle Region – Alternative Futures Survey

If you’re interested in transportation in our region, including the transit (bus and rail), bicycle, pedestrian, and highway networks, then now’s your chance to give feedback on the elements that should be emphasized to guide future changes and improvements. 

Last year, many of you provided feedback on the approved  goals and objectives  for the 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP, also known as Destination 2055). Now we need your participation as we evaluate potential alternative transportation futures for the region.

Share your preferences and learn more:

•  Complete the Online Survey available in several languages before May 26th
• Attend the Virtual Meeting on May 22nd at 12 noon
• Visit the Destination 2055 website

Learn more about Destination 2055 

Orange County Heat Awareness Week

Extreme heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the U.S. It kills more people than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. Extreme heat poses a threat to human health in Orange County, especially to residents who are at increased risk for heat related illnesses, people who work outdoors, the unhoused population and those who live in homes without adequate air conditioning or insulation or who cannot afford high electricity bills during heat waves. Heat-related illnesses are preventable, but it is important to know the risks and how to stay safe.

At the May 20 Town Council meeting, Mayor Foushee will proclaim May 25-31, 2024 Heat Awareness Week in Carrboro, echoing similar proclamations being made by Orange County, Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. This week will also kick off the Orange County “Beat the Heat” campaign to encourage our community to prepare for high summer temperatures and the significant health risks residents and workers experience during hot weather. 

To learn how to beat the heat this summer, visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/3404/Hot-Weather-Resources or follow Orange CountyNCGov on Facebook. 

Notice of Public Hearing: 
Recommended Town Budget 

CARRBORO, NC -- The Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20  in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., to receive comments on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for FY2025-26. 

The budget document may be viewed in the Town Clerk’s Office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or on the Town website at https://www.carrboronc.gov/250/Financial-Documents . People are invited to make written or oral comments.  

Interpretation in English and Spanish will be provided for this meeting. Se proporcionará interpretación en inglés y español para esta reunión.

Comments may be emailed to Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at  joyner@carrboronc.gov or presented at the public hearing on May 20. .  

OWASA announces public hearing on 
proposed budget and rate increase 

OWASA’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes critical investments in our community’s infrastructure, including: 

• A treatment facility to reduce PFAS compounds in drinking water 
• A new clearwell to ensure complete disinfection of the community’s drinking water 

Members of the public can attend the hearing in person or observe online. Please submit written comments to the Clerk to the Board at mjohnson@owasa.org.  

Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration 

News Flash!  The Carrboro Pride Dance Party has merged with Orgullo Latinx! We are so excited to join with El Centro Hispano in putting on a very special event with new energy and joyful creativity! See you in Carrboro on Saturday, June 14! 

PLEASE NOTE -- The Carrboro Pride Dance Party will not be held on the previously announced date. Instead, the Carrboro Orgullo Pride Celebration is now the new energy and joyful creativity for Pride in Carrboro! See you in Carrboro on Saturday, June 14! 

Check out all the Pride Month events coming up throughout the Chapel Hill and Carrboro community at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2706/Pride-Month

Carrboro and Chapel Hill

to Celebrate Juneteenth

The Chapel Hill -Carrboro Juneteenth Festival will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 

Hosted by the towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, along with numerous community partners, the Juneteenth festival celebrates Black culture and community with music, art, food, and history.  Learn more about  parking for the event.

Juneteenth is the oldest national commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth in Carrboro.

Black artisans and Black-owned businesses will offer everything from handmade jewelry and figurines, healthcare and other services. Black-owned food trucks and businesses will provide a variety of food and drink. Featured will be a Kids Zone, music and dance, a puppet show and the Bouncing Bulldogs. Exhibits will feature local Black history and culture.

Apply Now: 2025 Carrboro Music Festival Performer Application Open

 Attention all musicians! The Town of Carrboro is now accepting online applications for the 2025 Carrboro Music Festival. The application deadline for submissions is Saturday, May 31, 2025. 

The Carrboro Music Festival will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28 and is a celebration of local musicians throughout Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County.  The festival also includes performers from surrounding counties located between the Triangle and Triad regions of the state. 

• For more information, visit: https://www.carrboronc.gov/311/Carrboro-Music-Festival
• Apply now: https://www.carrboronc.gov/321/Application---Performers

Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!  

Please note that our Summer Brochure will be released in mid-April. Registration for our Summer programs begins on May 7 for Carrboro residents, and May 8 for all others. 

2025 Summer Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide 

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Summer program brochure is now available! This includes registration for 2025 Fall athletic leagues and 2025 summer camps.

Registration for Carrboro Residents begins on Wednesday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. and registration for all other participants begins on Thursday, May 8.

Learn more about the Program Guide and How to Register.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 11 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.