News Flash

Durham Hosts Bull City Remembrance & Unity Ride and Bull City Play Streets September 9

DURHAM, N.C. – Whether you ride a motorcycle, want to enjoy a day of outside play or are looking for a good cause to support, the City of Durham has just the events for you.

On Saturday, September 9 from noon to 4 p.m. at Lakewood Shopping Center, 2050 Chapel Hill Rd., residents are invited to join the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Services Department and the Durham Police Department at two events designed to get residents active and have fun while supporting a worthy cause.

The first event is the Second Annual Remembrance and Unity Ride to honor first responders and people who serve the Durham community. The ride will begin at 11 a.m. at Northgate Mall in the old Macy’s parking lot at 1058 W. Club Blvd., and end at Lakewood Shopping Center, where a community remembrance celebration will take place beginning at noon. Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell and Durham Police Chief C.J. Davis will provide remarks at the celebration, which will also feature food vendors. Representatives of the U.S. Armed Forces will also be in attendance.

Motorcycle riders are asked to pre-register by visiting the event website and paying a $15 fee, which includes a t-shirt with all proceeds going to Inspiring Truth, a Durham non-profit whose mission is to better the quality of life for homeless persons. On-site registration at Northgate Mall will also be available for motorcycle riders with a limited quantity of t-shirts available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In addition to the unity ride, residents and families looking to enjoy fun health and fitness activities can also attend the free Bull City Play Streets event, which will also take place at Lakewood Shopping Center on September 9 from noon to 4 p.m. All ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. Attendees should dress comfortably for outdoor play and are encouraged to bring bikes, scooters, roller skates and other toys. Other activities include corn hole, sack races, jump rope and other physical-fitness activities. Music will be provided by a DJ, and healthy snacks and water will be offered along with giveaways that support community health and fitness. Numerous community organizations will also be present to provide information on health-related services in Durham.

For more information about either event, contact Cheryl McDonald with the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Services Department at (919) 560-1647, ext. 34248 or by email at [email protected].

About the City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department

The Neighborhood Improvement Services Department works to preserve and improve quality of life conditions for Durham residents, and to encourage active participation in neighborhood redevelopment and public policy and decision making dialogue. The department is responsible for enforcement of quality of life ordinances and state statutes including the City’s Fair Housing Ordinance; Minimum Housing Code; Nonresidential Code; Weedy Lot, Abandoned & Junk Vehicle ordinances; and the State of North Carolina’s Unsafe Building Statute. The department’s rapid responders, known as the Impact Team, remediate non-compliant housing properties; abate public nuisances, such as graffiti, illegal dumping, and abandoned shopping carts; and conduct neighborhood service projects. The department’s Community Engagement staff provides outreach and education to Durham residents and community organizations. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department helps ensure that Durham has thriving, livable neighborhoods by providing the highest quality of services to engage and educate the community, eradicating blight, ensuring safer neighborhoods and enhancing neighborhood revitalization.

About the Durham Police Department

The Durham Police Department is progressive law enforcement agency committed to reducing crime by providing the best quality of service, fostering public confidence, and maintaining the highest standards of excellence as a community partner for positive change. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department works to minimize crime, promote safety, and enhance the quality of life in partnership with the community.