By Evan Register ’25 and Angus Cook ’25
Editor’s Note: The authors made a statement at the November 12 Planning Commission hearing about a proposed apartment complex across Pickett Road from Durham Academy Upper School. Also speaking for DA were Adam Braude, CFOO; Marty Walkowe, Associate Director of Security; Andrea Caruso, Environmental Science Teacher and Upper School Sustainability Leader; and Tina Bessias, Sustainability Coordinator. Members of the public, including neighbors and wildlife enthusiasts, also spoke at the hearing. The Planning Commission voted 8-2 against the proposal. The City Council will hold its own hearing and make the final decision early in 2025.
It was an honor to be asked by Middle School Cross Country Coach Hall to speak at the City Hall meeting. Sandy Creek means a lot to us and we know that the trail has had a lasting impact on countless Durham Academy runners in past years. Sandy Creek trail is the most important trail for the cross country and distance track teams, both of whom use it in the summer, fall, winter, and spring. It’s an incredible privilege to have Sandy Creek right at our fingertips. We run on it nearly every day, and have a new appreciation for it after almost losing it to development plans.
Being a part of the Planning Commision hearing was very cool, and we both learned a lot about the procedures and affairs of development and sustainability. Having never been a part of anything like the meeting before, we found it especially fascinating
to see the process by which our city forms plans and works effectively to make changes. The attention to detail that the commissioners and community members demonstrated was really cool. We were also highly impressed by the way that our school and nearby community members came together to speak against a development plan that would negatively impact us all. We would be more than willing to take part in further meetings on the topic of Sandy Creek.
The trail plays such a big role in the Durham Academy running community and it would be a shame if it were to be marred by development next door. One of our concerns is crossing the road to get to the trail. Traffic is already a big problem. The development risks cutting off access to our running haven.
The Sandy Creek trail is not only a gorgeous running site, but it is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. On our countless runs through Sandy, we’ve seen birds, squirrels, foxes, snakes, and even a couple crawfish just walking on the side of the water! We love being able to run mindlessly through a beautiful natural environment with the company of the animals that live within the forest. We hope that future years of Durham Academy runners will be granted the privilege of safely running through Sandy Creek in all its natural beauty.
See Evan and Angus’s public statement:
