BEST OF DURHAM
A Walk Around Woodcroft *Responses are edited for length and clarity
TOM ALLIN, SARAH ALLIN AND FLORA, 2 MOVED FROM WATTS-HILLANDALE IN JULY 2020
LYNN RICHARDSON
MOVED FROM CHAPEL HILL TO WOODWINDS IN 1986, THEN TO STREAMVIEW COURT IN 1995
At risk of sounding like we’re pandering, the neighbors [are the best thing about living here]. Before we moved in, the folks who we bought our house from invited us to their going-away party, so we could meet the neighbors. As difficult as this past year has been, we’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of folks who do everything from dropping off unsolicited homemade salsa and banana cake to lending us all manner of yard equipment.” – Tom
The neighborhood has lots of wooded common land. My lot backs up to a forested wetland, my yard has lots of trees, and a branch of Third Fork Creek runs through my neighbor’s backyard, all of which means lots of flora and fauna. I tell people I’m in suburbia when I’m in Readers’ Favorite the front yard and in the country when Neighborhood I’m in the back. I also appreciate the proximity to Woodcroft businesses and services like Studio K Salon, Packaging Express, Park Veterinary Hospital and Ace Hardware. My primary care doc (at Duke Health Center South Durham) and the physical therapist (at FIT Physical Therapy) who keeps my back in shape for gardening are just two miles away. I’m a member of the Woodcroft Community Association board. I co-founded the Woodcroft Ecofriendly Landscape Committee a couple of years ago and am in charge of the initiative to control invasive plants on our common lands, which, along with a lot of volunteer work for New Hope Audubon Society, Heather hosted an Easter egg hunt keeps me busy.” in her backyard oasis last year for
neighborhood kids like Mabel Oches, 4.
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HEATHER HENRY
MOVED FROM KENTUCKY IN 2006
During [the pandemic], I had time to extend my garden into an area that had previously been a vine-and-weed patch. It was transformed into a peaceful oasis that became a hub of activity for the neighborhood children, possibly owing to the gnomes who inhabit the space. We’ve held storytimes, bear hunts, Christmas carols, Mardi Gras, Easter egg hunts and other events while being safely distanced. Several of my musician friends, in need of outdoor space to spread out, would come by for bluegrass or Cajun music jams.”