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.
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This year’s festivities get underway with the Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday, July 3. Free and open to the public, our community’s most popular summertime event will take place inside Husky Stadium on the campus of Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Due to limited planning time, the Town will not offer concessions or live entertainment as part of this year’s fireworks show. Instead, at 9 p.m. the Town will share on its Facebook page an Independence Day video hosted by Talbot the Town Crier. Featuring Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty and the Board of Commissioners, the video will include a pre-recorded performance by the Band of Oz and an installment of “Kids Say the Cutest Things about America.” The Town will then livestream the fireworks show via Facebook before sharing the full Band of Oz concert.
The revelry continues Sunday, July 4, with the popular Children’s Parade. Hosted by the Wake Forest Optimist Club, the event offers area youngsters the opportunity to hop on their bicycles and be a part of their very own “walking parade.” The lineup begins at 1 p.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 1:30 p.m.
The parade route will extend from North Main Street, south through the campus of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and west onto South Avenue, before turning south on South College Street and ending at the Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave.
Participation in the Children’s Parade is free, but bicyclists are encouraged to wear their helmets. Please note: Wake Forest Police will be on hand to manage traffic and help ensure the safety of the parade participants. Volunteers are needed to help ensure the safety of the parade participants. For more information about the Children’s Parade, email Dawn Nakash.
The Independence Day festivities will conclude with Art in the Park. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Woman’s Club, free arts and crafts activities will take place from 2-4 p.m. inside the Community House, including the creation of various patriotic-themed crafts for all ages, cupcake decorating and more. Participants are also invited to experience and enjoy Holding Park and Holding Park Aquatic Center, both of which are located adjacent to the Community House. For more information about Art in the Park, email Tracy Mahl.
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Beginning Monday, June 7, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will offer expanded access by registration only to Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road; Flaherty Park Community Center (FPCC), 1226 N. White St.; and Alston-Massenburg Center (AMC), 416 N. Taylor St. Effective June 7, these community centers will operate according to the following schedule:
Joyner Park Community Center
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.-Noon
Sunday, Closed
Flaherty Park Community Center
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.-Noon
Sunday, Closed
Alston-Massenburg Center
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m.-Noon
Sunday, Closed
Activities at PRCR facilities are scheduled in one-hour blocks, with 30 minutes in between to allow staff to clean and sanitize the facility, including equipment, chairs, door handles, handrails and other high-touch areas. Patrons may only register for one time slot per day for pickleball open play (JPCC and FPCC) and usage of the fitness room (JPCC) and walking track (JPCC).
Please note: Face coverings are strongly encouraged for unvaccinated patrons and required of patrons ages 5-12 at all times while inside park facilities.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) recently celebrated the six-year anniversary of Operation Safe Sale. Introduced in May 2015, the initiative encourages Wake Forest residents who are selling or purchasing items advertised online to come to the Police Department, 225 S. Taylor St., to safely complete their transaction. Transactions may be made in the police department parking lot or inside the lobby, either with or without an officer present.
At the request of either party, a police officer will be available to check the serial number to determine whether the item has been entered through state or national databases as stolen property. Anyone wishing to have an officer present is required to schedule an appointment by calling 919-554-6150.
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The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST), the Society of St. Andrew and a network of Wake County partners committed to a sustainable food future are recruiting volunteers for the 2021 Wake Forest Potato Drop. Scheduled for Saturday, June 5, in the parking lot of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 520 W. Holding Ave., the Potato Drop will kick off at 8:50 a.m. with a brief welcome and prayer, followed by the start of potato bagging at 9 a.m.
The 2021 Potato Drop will bring together hundreds of area volunteers to bag thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes that will be distributed to dozens of food hubs and pantries across our region and state. Volunteers of all ages are needed to bag the potatoes. Local civic groups and community organizations are especially encouraged to participate. The event will also offer a great opportunity for local students to earn community service hours.
On the day of the event, volunteers should wear comfortable shoes and clothing and bring work gloves. The event is expected to conclude by 11:30 a.m. For more information, contact George Shaw.
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The Wake Forest Optimist Club will coordinate and manage this year’s Children’s Parade on Sunday, July 4. The lineup will begin at 1 p.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and West Juniper Avenue, near the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St. The procession will get underway at 1:30 p.m. and conclude at the Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave.
Volunteers are critical to the success of the Children’s Parade and needed to help ensure the safety of the parade participants. Local civic groups and community organizations are especially encouraged to participate as are local students looking to earn community service hours.
Volunteer positions will require both standing and walking, all volunteers must be at least 14-years-old, and a volunteer training session will be offered prior to the event. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, contact Children’s Parade Manager Dawn Nakash.
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Holding Park Aquatic Center (HPAC) is now open for the 2021 season. Located at 133 W. Owen Ave., the HPAC features a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, two water slides with plunge pool and children’s pool with water play. Open during the summer months, the facility offers swimming to the public, as well as swim lessons.
Daily admission fees for Wake Forest residents are $1 for children ages 2 and under; $4 for children ages 3-13; and $5 for patrons ages 13-59; and $4 for ages 60 and over. Daily admission fees for non-Wake Forest residents are $2 for children ages 2 and under; $6 for children ages 3-13; and $7 for patrons ages 13-59; and $6 for ages 60 and over.
Due to COVID-19, the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department has implemented a series of safety procedures at HPAC similar to those introduced last year. For example, open swim times are scheduled in three-hour blocks, with one hour in between to allow staff to clean and sanitize the facility, including deck chairs, door handles, hand rails and other high-touch areas.
In addition, a maximum of 160 patrons are allowed inside the facility during each session. Patrons must register and pay for each session in advance online, and no walk-ins will be allowed.
Online registration is underway. Patrons may register for a particular swim session up to 10 days but no less than two hours in advance. When a session is full, registration for that session is closed. Again, the window to register for a particular session closes two hours before the session begins. To register and pay in advance and view the full list of safety procedures, visit our website.
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Thirty Day Closure Set for Moores Pond Road at U.S. 401 near Wake Forest
N.C. Department of Transportation contractors plan to close a segment of Moores Pond Road on Wednesday, June 2, for 30 days.
At 9 a.m., about 500 feet of Moores Pond Road just north of the U.S. 401 intersection will close to allow crews to construct the new intersection.
Northbound drivers on Barham Siding Road (the road name changes to Moores Pond Road north of U.S. 401) will be detoured south on U.S. 401, north on N.C. 96 and east on N.C. 98 to get to Moores Pond Road. Southbound drivers will follow the same route but in reverse.
Traffic on U.S. 401 will not be impacted.
Drivers should allow extra time for the detour and pay extra attention while driving near the work zone.
This work is part of a project to widen and improve six miles of U.S. 401 between N.C. 96 and Flat Rock Church Road/Clifton Pond Road. This project is near its halfway point and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022.
100 Deadliest Days of Summer
This week begins the 100 deadliest days of summer, when the number of crash fatalities involving teenage drivers rises. More people, including teens, travel between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and with COVID restrictions easing, more people are expected to be on the roads than last year.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program is reminding parents, teachers and caretakers to talk to young people about being safe on the road. Speeding, distractions and drinking while driving are leading contributors to crashes involving teenage drivers – and all are preventable.
Enjoy $5 Kids Fare on NC By Train
If you’re making plans to travel with your children this summer, take the train. The North Carolina Amtrak Service is offering $5 one-way fare for children ages 2 to 12, with the purchase of a regularly priced adult ticket.
To book, go to ncbytrain.org and use discount code V256 at checkout.
For passenger safety:
- Masks are required;
- Social distancing is being enforced; and
- Enhanced cleaning is taking place regularly.
For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on NCDOT.gov.
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The Wake Forest Police Department recently concluded a video series highlighting the "human" side of law enforcement. Each Ask A Cop video features members of the WFPD discussing topics ranging from "hobbies" and "traffic stops" to "outreach programs" and "longest day on the job."
In the 11th and final episode, our officers shared the one thing they'd like you to know about how you can best help them. To view all 11 "Ask A Cop" episodes, visit our website.
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During this time of COVID-19, we understand that, like millions of others in the nation, you may be having trouble making housing and utility payments. We hope we can help you with our latest program.
The House Wake! COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program focuses specifically on eviction prevention and utility assistance. This program provides financial assistance to tenants, landlords and utility companies to cover rent and utility shortfalls resulting from a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to COVID-19. Qualifying households must have income that does not exceed 80% area median income with priority given to households with incomes below 50% AMI. If you are interested in applying for the House Wake! COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program, click here to access the application.
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The Town of Wake Forest is launching a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors. Over the next year, #RecycleRightWF will introduce and emphasize a series of easy-to-understand messages aimed at simplifying the recycling process and improving the quality of materials residents place in their rollout recycling carts.
“Recycling is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” said Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson. “#RecycleRightWF represents a major step forward for recycling in our community. We know our residents want to recycle the right way. Through this campaign, we plan to help them do just that.”
Over the past few years, Town officials have witnessed a steady increase in the amount of contaminated recyclables in recycling carts throughout Wake Forest. To some degree, the surge is the result of confusing guidelines which can lead to mistakes, apathy, and skepticism about recycling. While the national contamination rate is just under 20 percent, Wake Forest is joining a growing number of municipalities working to combat the problem through its new public education campaign.
#RecycleRightWF will provide Wake Forest households with direct mail pieces and social media messaging, as well as concentrated feedback efforts that address contamination. Messaging will consistently remind residents who recycle to “Stick with These 6” - plastic bottles, jugs, and jars; metal cans; paper; and cardboard, and “Never These 9” - plastic bags, food waste, cups, to-go containers, paper towels, tiny things, plastic packaging, Styrofoam and gloves/masks.
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The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging residents to stay informed about trash, recycling and yard waste collection by signing up for the “Waste Wizard.” The Waste Wizard is a free interactive tool that allows users to sign up for personalized trash and recycling collection reminders, download collection schedules and access online service request forms for bulk waste pickup, brush pickup and missed collections.
But that’s not all. The Waste Wizard also allows users to type in key words related to disposable household materials and receive valuable disposal tips. From aluminum cans and phone books to popcorn bags and plastic beverage bottles, the search tool helps residents determine which items can be recycled and which ones should be thrown away.
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Provided below are announcements about projects that will impact Wake Forest motorists over the next several weeks. Please use the information to help plan your route and move safely through the affected areas.
Through June 8
Through Saturday, June 8, Fred Smith Company, a contractor working at the future Legacy at Heritage, will periodically reduce to one lane with alternating two-way traffic Heritage Lake Road from Friendship Chapel Road to Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The periodic lane closures are necessary to allow crews to tap the existing water main and install a storm drain.
Signage and flaggers will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work area. Delays are expected, so motorists may wish to avoid the area and take an alternate route.
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The Town of Wake Forest's interactive Traffic Alerts Map gives residents a user-friendly and convenient way to view local road closures and restrictions. Accessible under “Common Resources” on the homepage of the Town website, the map allows visitors to point and click on current road and lane closures throughout Wake Forest.
When clicking on an individual project, the user will see a short summary of the exact location of the project, along with a schedule for its anticipated beginning and completion. In addition, the user will be provided with the name and contact information for the project manager should anyone have questions about a given initiative. The information is updated in real-time as the project moves forward.
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Kids Say the Cutest Things is back, and this time they're talking about the harmful effects of litter. Please join these kids and the Town of Wake Forest in the fight against litter by properly disposing of your trash and encouraging others to do the same!
In the words of one of these kids, "Be a good citizen," and #KeepWFClean.
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Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the Town of Wake Forest relaxed a number of temporary sign enforcement activities over the past year in an effort to support Wake Forest businesses during the pandemic. Now that conditions are improving and North Carolina’s restrictions are being loosened, the Town will resume all temporary sign enforcement regulations effective July 1, 2021.
A key component in the effort to ensure signage does not become a public hazard, public nuisance, or traffic hazard, signage enforcement also serves to protect and enhance the overall appearance of Wake Forest. Information related to permitted sign types are outlined in Chapter 11 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Also during the pandemic, businesses may have introduced temporary creative solutions to increase their outdoor seating capacity, create customer pick-up zones, or implement other ways to address their needs. Beginning July 1, Planning staff will begin to contact these businesses and property owners to discuss transitioning away from these temporary measures.
Businesses or property owners wishing to make the changes permanent are urged to contact the Planning Department at 919-435-9510 to determine whether the modifications are possible and, if so, initiate the approval process. The process typically takes several weeks to complete, so anyone considering making temporary changes permanent is urged to begin the process now.
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The Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., offers adults age 55 and older a full schedule of recreational activities. Programming at the center is provided by Resources for Seniors, Inc. The organization serves senior and disabled adults in Wake County by providing home and community-based services and information, thereby allowing them to maximize their choices for independence, comfort, safety, security and well-being.
Check out Jennie's Weekly Jots, the senior center's weekly newsletter, for information on current programming and initiatives.
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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.
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