August 4th, National Night Out!

The Forest Hills Neighborhood Association will host a National Night Out event on August 4th from 6:00-8:00 at the playground/shelter in Forest Hills Park. National Night Out is an event sponsored by the Durham Police Department to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
  

Forest Hills Neighborhood Association members will be on hand to distribute public safety materials as well as ice cream sundaes.  In addition, officers from the Durham Police Department will stop by to introduce themselves and answer any questions residents might have.  Besides ice cream and crime prevention, it’s also a great excuse to get out and know your neighbors better. We hope to see you there! 

Fishing in Forest Hills!

Max Van Horn (L) and Connor Cain (R) with the Forest Hills Catch of the Day. 

On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, around 4 pm in the afternoon, two young men - Max Van Horn (6 yrs. old) and Connor Cain (7), and their guide, Ben Herst (16), embarked on a fishing adventure in Forest Hills.  They chose to cast their line into the Forest Hills Creek, near the East Forest Hills Blvd. Bridge next to the tennis courts.  Using a homemade rig consisting of a cork with a length of fishing line wrapped around it and a small hook tied to the end, Ben instructed the two younger anglers on the proper hand-jigging technique for success at his favorite local fishing hole.  Their bait was small pieces of sandwich bread, which the fish loved!  While standing on the sandy bank of the creek, Max and Connor caught five hungry fish, of various sizes.  The picture is of the first and biggest fish - roughly 9 inches in length - reeled in by Max and Connor.  All the fish were successfully released.  Future fishermen should be careful around the area, because of pointy sticks, thorns, spiky caterpillars, and slippery rocks.  The creek was abundant with fish, minnows, and tadpoles.

Got Mulch?

Forest Hills residents volunteered 80+ hours of physical labor over the last two weeks of June to move and spread mulch around trees bordering the Forest Hills park. In coordination with Durham Forester Alex Johnson, FHNA arranged the donation of the mulch from local area power-line tree pruning. Piles of mulch were left on EFHB, University and WFHB. Mulch spread at tree bases reduces the risk of soil/root compaction when cars are parked under the trees. Mulch also helps retain moisture which is beneficial to the trees. At the time of this posting, the spreading of much continues along EFHB, University, and Wilshire.

New Sign

Forest Hills is getting a new sign. Let the rejoicing begin. 

FHNA NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR EARTH DAY CLEAN UP!

It is that time again when the grass turns green, the trees and flowers bloom and garbage collects along the stream banks.

Actually, the garbage collects along the stream banks throughout the year. Neighborhood volunteers have historically helped to keep the stream clean of trash by organizing stream clean up efforts. The Earth Day Celebration sponsored by the Durham Parks and Recreation is one such clean up event which FHNA wants to participate in a big way .

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! ! !

Meet us on Saturday April 25, 2009 at 8 :30 a.m. at the shelter where we'll start with donuts and coffee and then move out through the Park, especially along the stream, to help our fellow neighbors and other volunteers pick up trash. Past clean up efforts have always been successful and we have received repeated recognition from the City for our efforts to clean up both the East Fork Creek in the Park as well as along Lakewood Avenue. This year we are going to concentrate on the stream within the Park boundaries.

COME ONE AND COME ALL! ! ! APRIL 25, 2009 @ 8:30a.m.
Gear : Please wear boots and bring gloves.
Supplies: FHNA w ill provide trash bags and pick up tools.

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.

New Bridge

The east side of the park is getting a new bridge. Pictured below is what said bridge will look like upon completion.

Turkey Trot. The Movie.

Watch! If you dare!