News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(July 2, 2025) 

Carrboro has been named an All-America City -- recognized for its bold commitment to advancing democracy! Join us for a day of fun at the Carrboro Community July 4th Celebration. Start the day at Weaver St around 9:30 a.m. and decorate your bikes/wagons for the People's Parade. Then, head to Town Hall around 11 a.m. and enjoy live music, games, food/drink vendors and pie-eating contests. Make your way to the Century Center for the Frederick Douglass Community Reading from 2-4 p.m.  Enjoy the long weekend! 

Carrboro Named All-America City! 

The Town of Carrboro has been named a 2025 All-America City by the National Civic League, marking a historic win in the town’s first year applying and competing for the prestigious national recognition.

Carrboro has been recognized for its bold commitment to advancing democracy through local action, community partnerships, and inclusive civic infrastructure —the network of relationships, partnerships, and capacities driving effective decision-making and problem-solving.

Earlier this year, communities from across the country submitted written applications showcasing their efforts to bring people together, create positive change, and build thriving, resilient communities. The field was narrowed to 20 finalists. During June 27-29, 2025, finalist communities traveled to Denver where they connected and shared insights with peers and learned from national thought leaders. 

Carrboro’s delegation, comprised of youth leaders, town staff, the mayor, and business and community partners, presented their work to a jury of nationally recognized civic leaders at the All-America City Award event held in Denver, Colorado. Their presentation, filled with storytelling, spoken word, and community pride, underscored Carrboro’s collective vision of building a more inclusive and resilient future. On Sunday, June 29, 2025, after careful deliberation, the jury selected Carrboro, N.C. as a 2025 All-America City! 

“This All-America City award is a testament to the heart of Carrboro — a community where equity, environmental sustainability, and inclusive civic engagement are more than values - they are our way of life," said Town Manager Patrice Toney. "I am incredibly proud of our residents, Town staff, and community leaders who make Carrboro a shining example of what’s possible when we work together with purpose and passion.” 

Carrboro, North Carolina continues to advance its racial equity and climate goals through initiatives like Carrboro in Motion Fest, which brings civic engagement directly to underrepresented renters through bilingual neighborhood block parties, and the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program, which funds resident-led climate projects. Additionally, Carrboro’s award-winning Bolin Creek Watershed Restoration project united residents, homeowner associations, and state agencies to tackle stormwater issues with nature-based solutions, turning a persistent challenge into a collaborative success.  

The National Civic League’s All-America City Award has recognized communities since 1949 for outstanding civic accomplishments. Carrboro now joins an esteemed group of towns and cities nationwide who demonstrate innovative, equitable, and effective governance.

Learn more: https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3028

Carrboro Community 4th of July Celebration

Join us from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4th for a day of fun activities and celebrations. The 12th Annual Community Reading of the Frederick Douglass Essay "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" will be held rain or shine and occur at the Carrboro Century Center from 2 to 4 p.m. Come early to get a good seat! 

Activities begin at 9:30 a.m. at Weaver Street Market, followed by The People’s Parade from Weaver Street to Town Hall at 10:50 a.m. led by the Bulltown Strutters. The event continues at Carrboro Town Commons from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and then concludes at the Century Center for the Community reading at 2 - 4 p.m.

Bring non-perishable items to help support PORCH. Donation bins available at Weaver Street Market and Carrboro Town Commons.

Activities include:

• Live music from Liquid Pleasure featuring Kenny Mann
• Pie-Eating Contest (times have been updated -- check website/newsflash)
• Interactive Smoke House by Town of Carrboro Fire-Rescue
• Face Painting w/Paint Savvy
• Carnival Games
• Food/Drink Vendors
• and more!

Learn more about the Carrboro Community 4th of July Celebration.

Four on the Fourth

A Carrboro road race is scheduled for 8 a.m. Friday, July 4. Expect traffic delays around this time, and feel free to cheer on the runners! 

The race begins in front of McDougle Middle School, winds through downtown Carrboro and its neighborhoods, and finishes on the McDougle track. 

McDougle Middle School is located at 900 Old Fayetteville Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Four on the Fourth is the first race of the Cardinal Track Club's three-race series, Le Tour de Carrboro. These local road races support nonprofits and their work to provide people with access to healthy food, mental and health services, rehabilitation, and more.

Learn more at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/ChapelHill/FourontheFourth

Town of Carrboro offices closed for Independence Day

The Town of Carrboro's administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. 

Emergency police, fire and rescue services may be reached by calling 9-1-1

Holiday Waste Collection

There will be no household waste collection on Friday, July 4. Friday's collection is moved to Monday, July 7.

Fourth of July Festivities

Check out all the Fourth of July festivities happening in Carrboro on Friday, July 4 including the Frederick Douglass Community Reading and the People’s Parade. 

Carrboro Achieves Gold Level on the Roadmap to Active, Connected Communities

The Town of Carrboro has reached the Gold level after completing “Connect, Move, Thrive: A Roadmap to Active, Connected Communities.”

The Roadmap is a key element of the 2025 Move with the Mayor® Spring Mental Health and Physical Activity Challenge. This recognition highlights [City name]’s efforts to strengthen mental health, increase physical activity, and reduce social isolation.

The National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention developed the Roadmap in partnership with the American Public Health Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

It helps cities assess and grow their efforts in four key areas:

• Building a culture of connection
• Strengthening social infrastructure
• Advancing pro-connection public policies
• Expanding partnerships to support active living

“The Move with the Mayor initiative has been instrumental in bringing our community together and promoting healthier, more connected lives,” said Mayor Barbara Foushee. “We are honored to be recognized at this level and proud to keep building a town where movement, connection, and well-being go hand in hand.”

Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month in Carrboro

July is Parks and Recreation Month in Carrboro, as proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee.

The National Park and Recreation Association has designated the theme of this year’s celebration “Build Together, Play Together.” This year’s theme is a reminder of the 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 our country’s close-to-home parks. 

Each July, we celebrate park and recreation professionals and how they improve the lives of tens of millions of people, making a lasting impact in communities across the country. Parks and recreation programs are an integral part of communities because they help establish and maintain a good quality of life, contribute to the health of residents, and support the economic and environmental well-being of the community and the region.

The Town’s Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department recently completed projects including a new playground at Baldwin Park in the Lloyd-Broad community and a newly enhanced Pump Track at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, both built with input from community members.

The dedicated employees of the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department have an average of 20 years of service in providing excellent programs and amenities to grow our community. They strive to maintain safe and healthy park amenities for all ages and offers a comprehensive recreation program, including youth and adult classes, youth and adult athletic leagues, camps, workshops, clinics and many community events.

• Learn more about the programs and services of the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department of the Town of Carrboro.
• Read  the full proclamation.

Carrboro Proclaims July as Disability Pride Month

The Town of Carrboro is proud to recognize July 2025 as Disability Pride Month, following a proclamation issued by Mayor Barbara Foushee. This annual observance commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990—a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life.

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of disabled individuals while affirming disability as a natural and important part of human diversity. Approximately 15% of the global population lives with a disability, reflecting a broad spectrum of identities across age, race, gender, and background.

Carrboro is home to a vibrant and diverse disabled community whose presence, leadership, creativity, and advocacy continue to shape and enrich our town. 

The proclamation emphasizes the importance of inclusion, dignity, and equity for all residents, and calls for an active rejection of ableism and stigma

Carrboro is committed to being a town where all people, including those with disabilities, can thrive, living with dignity, safety, access, joy and pride.

Residents are encouraged to join in honoring Disability Pride Month by learning more about disability rights, amplifying disabled voices, and working together to build a more inclusive community for everyone.

Read the full proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions

Town Council Update

The Carrboro Town Council will be on a summer hiatus with its next regularly scheduled meeting  set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. 

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 . 

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, June 17, and took actions on the items noted in the agenda found  online .

• Watch the livestream on YouTube.
• Learn more by reading the full Town Council Update .

Free Trolley Rides this August

Visit Chapel Hill is launching a free trolley service on three Saturdays this August to celebrate the UPROAR Festival of Public Art. Sponsored by the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, the trolleys will help residents and visitors explore Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the UNC campus with ease.

Trolley Dates and Times:

• Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 – from noon to 8 p.m. 
• Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 – from noon to 8 p.m. 
•  Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 – from noon to 8 p.m. 

Two air-conditioned trolleys will run on a continuous loop through downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Riders can get on and off at any stop throughout the day. No tickets or registration are required.

Where to Park and Ride:

You can park and hop on the trolley and park in public lots throughout the community. Just a few examples:  

• Drakeford Public Library, 203 S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
• East Rosemary Parking Deck, 125 E. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill
• Any public parking lot in Chapel Hill or Carrboro

What to Expect on Board:

• Free maps and brochures to help guide your visit
• Comfortable, air-conditioned seating
• Easy access to dozens of public art installations as part of the UPROAR Festival

This is a great way to see art, visit local shops and restaurants, and enjoy the area without worrying about parking or driving.

Learn more about  the  free trolley service on three Saturdays this August to celebrate the UPROAR Festival of Public Art

Greene Tract Project Update

An update from Orange County

Town of Chapel Hill Approves Rezoning and  Text Amendments to the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO)

At the June 18, 2025 Town Council meeting, the Greene Tract was rezoned to HR-X (Historic Rogers Road - Housing and Employment Mixed Use) and companion text amendments to the LUMO were adopted.  The rezoning and text amendments will allow "by-right" development of the approved master plan.  "By-right" means that Town staff reviews future applications for compliance with the standards in the LUMO and additional zoning approvals by the Town Council should not be necessary. One of the highlights of the approved text amendments is that a buffer to the existing residential uses adjacent to the Greene Tract must be maintained.

Ongoing Work

Staff of the three local governments continue to work with staff from the Development Finance Initiave (DFI), part of the UNC School of Government.  DFI is conducting a financial feasibility analysis of the approved Master Plan.  On-going work and expected next steps include:

• Market Analysis (underway)
• Build upon 2020 Environmental Assessment to complete a "Phase 1 Enviornmental Site Assessment" and necessary Geotechnical work
• Complete a Traffic Study
• Refine site analysis and master plan, if necessary
• Begin financial modeling

Learn more about the Green Tract Project

Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk on July 11

Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday, July 11.

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and the Drakeford Library Complex are open from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Check out all the participating venues and their exhibitions here.

How to Stay Informed & Engaged in Carrboro 

The Communication & Engagement Department has your information and engagement needs covered!

Sign up for Carrboro Town News. 

Follow the Town of Carrboro on social media  – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, Bluesky and YouTube. 

Stop by a Town Information Center, outdoor message kiosks at many community locations!

Curious about community hot topics? Check out Engage Carrboro.

Please note that Carrboro This Week, the town’s weekly newsletter, takes a summer break in July and August. 

For more information or assistance, please reach us at communications@carrboronc.gov 

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

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.

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.