Welcome to our weekly e-newsletter - What's Up in Wake Forest . Here you'll find information about Town programs, services, activities, projects, special events and more! If you haven't already, tell your friends and neighbors to visit our E-Notifier page to learn about our full array of free email offerings.

Oh, say can you sing? Regardless of your answer, you and your family are invited to participate in a virtual rendition of “The National Anthem” as part of a magical, community chorus. Modeled after the digital sensation, “Couch Choir,” Wake Forest’s Star-Spangled Sing-Along is an opportunity for residents (even those that “can’t carry a tune in a bucket”) to join together in song and contribute to a different kind of Independence Day celebration – all from the safety and comfort of their homes.

From now through Sunday, June 14, Wake Forest residents and families are invited to video themselves singing the National Anthem, then upload their video through an online portal.

Detailed instructions, along with the link to the online portal, are now available on the Town's website .

The deadline to upload your video is Sunday, June 14 .

Kino Mountain Productions, the Town’s video production partner, will synch up all the submitted videos into a virtual choir. The Town will unveil the finished product on its  Facebook page  and  website  on the evening of Friday, July 3.

Delayed due to concerns about COVID-19, the 2020 opening of the Taylor Street Park Sprayground , 416 N. Taylor St., will take place Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m. Free and open to the public, the sprayground will operate daily in two-hour sessions, then close 30 minutes for cleaning, Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1-8 p.m. The facility is scheduled to close for the season on Tuesday, Sept. 8. 

Out of concern for public safety, Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources will introduce the following measures as part of the facility’s daily operations:
  • Temporary fencing will be installed around the sprayground to control the entry and exit of visitors;
  • For the purposes of contact tracing, all persons entering the sprayground must be signed in by staff;
  • Seating areas will be clearly marked to ensure proper spacing and appropriate social distancing (patrons may bring their own chairs);
  • Staff will enforce a maximum capacity of 16 people.

Again, the sprayground will be open daily in two-hour sessions, then closed for 30 minutes while employees sanitize every surface. To view the daily schedule, visit our website .

Although the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is closed and in-person events canceled, “the show must go on-line.” As we continue adjusting to life in the midst of COVID-19, the Renaissance Centre is set to begin offering a series of free online visual and performing arts experiences you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.

One of the Renaissance Centre’s signature events, The Malpass Brothers in concert , will take place virtually on Saturday, July 25. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and can be streamed via the  Renaissance Centre Facebook  page.
Steeped in traditional country music, The Malpass Brothers feature a smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship while performing in the styles of Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins and Hank Williams, Sr.

To learn more about the Renaissance Centre, including our virtual programming, like us on  Facebook  and sign up for free updates via  E-Notifier .

Effective Monday, June 8, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will open all Town-maintained athletic fields at all Town parks, except Flaherty Park Field #3 which is closed for maintenance. The fields, which have been closed due to COVID-19, will be available for rent beginning Monday, June 15.

These amenities are not sanitized daily, and visitors must use at their own risk. In addition, all users must follow group size (25 max) and social distancing guidelines.

Out of concern for public safety, PRCR offices and buildings, including Joyner Park Community Center, Flaherty Park Community Center, Wake Forest Community House and Alston-Massenburg Center, remain closed to the public. A limited number of programs are being offered at these facilities, so only registered participants are allowed to enter.

In addition, playgrounds remain closed and drinking fountains are turned off. 

You can make a difference in our community by applying to fill the vacancy on the Cemetery Advisory Board (CAB). All residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are eligible to apply.

The online application is available on the Town’s website. Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.

Applicants will be expected to call in to the virtual CAB meeting on Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m. to introduce themselves and discuss why they wish to serve. Call-in instructions will be provided to all applicants no later than noon on Tuesday, June 23.

Following the virtual interviews on June 24, the CAB will review its slate of candidates before submitting its recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Board will announce the new appointments during its regular work session on Tuesday, July 7.

The selected applicant will fill the vacated seat and their term will commence immediately.

Wake Forest Loop B resumed normal operations on May 26 after being suspended since March 30 due to COVID-19. Wake Forest-Raleigh Express service remains suspended until further notice.

Operated using GoRaleigh vehicles,  Wake Forest Loops A and B  offer fare- free service for residents traveling within Wake Forest and a portion of Wakefield.

Customers are asked to board buses using the rear doors in an effort to promote greater social distancing. GoRaleigh cannot collect fares at the rear doors, therefore fare collection will continue to be suspended. Front door access will be available for persons with disabilities. 

GoRaleigh standard sized buses will allow up to 16 passengers to comply with social distancing practices. If a bus reaches full capacity and resources are available at the time, a tripper bus will be sent to pick up any remaining passengers.

For the safety of the operators and passengers, we encourage wearing a face covering of some form on all buses.  

These practices can help limit the impact of COVID-19 on our community. For more information, call 919-485-RIDE (7433). More>>

The Town of Wake Forest is following North Carolina’s Safer-At-Home Phase 2 Order as outlined by Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 141 . The Safer At Home Phase 2 runs through at least Friday, June 26.

Mass gathering limits in Phase 2 are no more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors in most circumstances. 

Due to the current mass gathering limits and an expectation that residents will not be allowed to gather safely in large groups for the foreseeable future, the Town has canceled its traditional July 3 Fireworks Spectacular.
However, instead of the conventional in-person celebration, officials plan to put on an aerial fireworks display that residents can watch in a variety of ways, including (but not necessarily limited to) Facebook Live and WFTV 10. Plans are still being developed, so specific details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Wake Forest’s July 4 festivities, including the annual Children’s Parade and Art-in-the-Park, have also been canceled. Planning was well underway for these events before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. The Town of Wake Forest would like to recognize the Wake Forest Optimist Club and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club for pledging their support for these events.
Recycling Refresher

It's time to take a fresh look at recycling and change how we think about it! It's less important to fill the bin with a mix of things we think MAY be recyclable as it is to put in things we KNOW are recyclable. This video is designed to help you "get the right things in the bin - for the win!"
We're tied in the
Mayors' Census Challenge!

Oh no! We're tied at 71 percent! For several weeks Wake Forest led Fuquay-Varina in our head-to-head match-up over which town finishes with the better self-response rate. That lead has vanished like bottles of hand-sanitizer from your local grocery store! If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete the 2020 US Census online at  https://my2020census.gov/   and help ensure Mayor Jones and Wake Forest "clean up" the competition! We're "counting" on you!

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about six out of 10 people living with dementia will wander away from their homes. As the development of the disease continues, it can become increasingly difficult and potentially impossible for the person to find their way home. Many children with autism may also wander. That’s why the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is introducing a new program designed to help officers find and safely return home people with disabilities as quickly as possible when they wander away from their families or caregivers.

The  Take Me Home initiative is designed to protect Wake Forest children, adults and the elderly with disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome or Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders, who go missing and may be unable to communicate who they are and where they live.

The program is a free, voluntary and confidential database offered, managed and maintained by Wake Forest police for Wake Forest residents. It is only accessible to law enforcement via the WFPD.

Fred Smith Co., a private contractor working on behalf of the Town of Wake Forest, has begun preliminary work on the Ligon Mill Road Operational Improvements Project (LMROIP) . 

Initial efforts will include the installation of project signage and silt and tree protection fencing, along with equipment mobilization. This work will have little to no impact on pedestrians or traffic.

The LMROIP consists of widening the existing narrow corridor from two lanes to a four-lane median-divided roadway with left-turn lanes, bike lanes, curb and gutter and extra-wide sidewalks. In addition, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and dedicated left, through and right-turn lanes will be installed at the existing intersection with South Main Street/US 1A.

These improvements are designed to significantly improve the mobility and safety of this corridor. Decorative stone retaining walls will also be installed to enhance the visual appearance of the area.

For complete information, including project updates, visit our website . 

The NC Department of Transportation wants to hear from you about North Carolina’s trails and how to make them better. The NCDOT is encouraging residents and leaders to participate in a brief  survey  on our state’s multi-modal transportation. The input will be used to identify a network of shared-use paths and trails that connects​​​ every county in North Carolina.

The public can give feedback in two ways by taking an  interactive map survey  or a  10-question survey . Participants are encouraged to take both surveys beginning now through September 30.

Available here , these surveys are a part of NCDOT’s effort to develop its statewide trail plan and 5-year implementation strategy, called the  Great Trails State Plan .

The Great Trails State Plan is focusing on shared-use paths that can serve transportation purposes, providing connections between where people live, work and play. 
Check out our new
"Wonderful Wake Forest" video
Please...don't...litter!

The Town of Wake Forest often receives reports about trash of all kinds along our roads. It's a shame we're forced to constantly reinforce this message - but please don’t litter! We need everyone to help keep Wake Forest and North Carolina beautiful and safe, and it starts with each of us doing our part.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Wake Forest safe, and for proving every day that the caring community we know and love is still here and as strong as ever.  #StayStrongWF

All  Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources' playgrounds are closed until further notice. All Town parks and greenways remain open to the public, but water fountains are turned off.
 
Parks and greenways users are urged to remember the following:
  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
  • While on trails, warn other users of your presence as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
  • Always observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or depart that space.

Police officials are reminding Wake Forest motorists to park in the direction of traffic flow or risk a $25 fine. Wording in Sec. 30-251 of the Town's Code of Ordinances addresses "Parking in direction of traffic flow."

"Parking shall be established in the direction of traffic flow on all streets within corporate limits of the Town of Wake Forest with passenger side (right) tires to the curb on two-way streets."

In summary, on a two-way road, you must park with the right-hand wheels next to the right-side curb. Otherwise, you are parked illegally.  More>>
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If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-News, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.