The Carrboro Board of Aldermen heard concerns from community members regarding the conservation of Upper Bolin Creek Tuesday.
The concern for Bolin Creek was in response to the community climate action plan update presented by the Carrboro Energy and Climate Task Force.
The Board of Aldermen considered paving the Bolin Creek trail to create a bicycle trail, though they removed it from the plan.
Members of the Friends of Bolin Creek and Chapel Hill High School cross country runners asked that the Bolin Creek trail not be paved.
The speakers brought up issues such as wildlife diversity, water quality and flooding.
Additionally, the cross country runners were concerned that hard pavement would lead to knee and tendon injuries. They said they prefered the unpaved creek because it's softer to run on.
Board of Aldermen member Jacquelyn Gist said Bolin Creek was being considered for a bike way that would allow for safe routes to schools.
"There isn't a member of this board that doesn't also treasure the animals and the water and the trees," Gist said. "Thank you for reminding us how important it is to preserve that."
Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle said it is an important community topic that needs to be discussed further.
"The reason the climate change task force considered (paving Bolin Creek) is because we want to facilitate bike movement as an alternative to cars," Board of Aldermen member Sammy Slade said.
Slade said the board decided to hold a public hearing before making a decision.
The Board of Aldermen also heard updates on Carrboro's parking study and Bike Month 2016 activities.
Notable:
Board of Aldermen member Michelle Johnson, a sexual assault survivor, read a resolution to honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Johnson has read it every year she's been on the board.
Quotable:
"The poem is about basketball and about disappointment, which seems appropriate," Carrboro's Poet Laureate Celisa Steele said when she presented her poem to the board. April is National Poetry Month.
@janelittle26
city@dailytarheel.com
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