Homestead Park — Attraction in Chapel Hill

What this place needs is a REAL parking lot because the tiny circle and five parking spots isn't getting it. I laugh at the white Porsche that I see up there (sometimes) because dude parks near a blind curve since there's no space (not funny though). OH YEAH! And a basketball gym! I mean, this IS Chapel Hill right? Oh, and maybe a football field that could double as a venue for live music... or maybe not.... Because then Chapel Hill would make TOO MUCH money. Sure, the Aquatic Center parking is okay, but it's not enough. Think about what this place could become if you make it attractive enough to get the youth teams that travel across the country to use this as a site for games? 'Cause like "what are all those hotels for anyway?" 🤯 But no, Chapel Hill doesn't need more money. Why would the town council approve construction for facilities that help to collect extra taxes, improve profits from the already insane gas prices (I used to drive to Raleigh because the price was 50¢ cheaper), collect service fees (for vendors), etc. Or are we going to live like the mole people until the end of time? I mean Durham, Goldsboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Cary, and Charlotte are getting in on the action. Are they better than Chapel Hill? Yeah yeah yeah "college town, smallish frown" (😒 like literally). No wonder there aren't any AAU games here. Unless you're letting them play at the Dean Dome, which I doubt, but whatever... I mean how is UNC going to attract 5 star athletes if they don't believe there is a real sports culture here? Aren't they playing here because UNC is where the legends are made? Stil though, look at Texas & Florida & Alabama (football), Mexico & South America & Europe (Soccer), Australia & New Zealand (Rugby)... Come on man! Seems like we're living off the rep of MJ (Best to ever play in the NBA, 6 NBA rings, I get it) Worthy (Star on Magic Johnson's Lakers team, 3 NBA rings, makes sense), Psycho T (2008 POY, 2009 NCAA champ, okay cool), Vinsanity (Arm in the rim? Of course), Rasheed Wallace (beat Kobe AND Shaq 4-1 in 2004 NBA Finals, can't forget that), Danny G (3 NBA champs with 3 teams, legend in the making), Dean Smith (Legend = coached #1 team 10 times, 11 NCAA final fours, 2 NCAA champs, coached MJ & Worthy, well duh), and Roy Williams (Legend = coached #1 team 12 times, won 3 NCAA champs all with UNC, coached Psycho T, right... I'd be crazy to disagree)... So back to my point... what this park HAS is a baseball field, soccer field, and dog park smashed together with a tiny playground (perfect proportion for kids 5yrs & under), bike trail about 1/64th of a mile long and a little circle where parents/guardians can drop off kids for team practices or social activities. That circle I'm talking about isn't big enough to be a drive thru for Cookout OR Sunshine Biscuits it's that small. Like why are parents forced to park there when there's a game? Or is this another one of Chapel Hill's attempts to discourage people from actually using the space for it's intended purpose? Kind of like University Place (don't worry if you don't know what that is... It's the local mall that no one goes to unless they are a member of Planet Fitness or need to pay a phone bill... Of course some of the AVEDA girls are 🔥 but I'm not 🥵 more like 😍 don't get it misunderstood). My LAST POINT is that there must be about an acre or two of unused free space on the other side of the road leading to the aquatic center. Why won't you USE IT??? "Red tape, let's fake" (🙄 right I know) just do something... This is the perfect time to push it through since everyone is still...

The dog park is a major disappointment. It is tiny and the worse thing there are no dogs. So, what's the point of having a dog park that is not attractive to dog owners. It doesn't have to be this way, however. This could be a terrific dog park if the vision and commitment were there. There is all that wooded area behind the dog park that could be partially cleared of the small trees and overgrowth. The large trees could be left standing. Clear that area to make the park 4 to 5 acres and extend the fence to enclose the area. It would be a terrific park which would draw dozens of dogs and their owners. I have seen it done in Worthington, Ohio, where I recently moved from. The park there was originally an overgrown tract which was cleared and made into a 1 acre small dog park and a 4 acre large dog park. It is a very popular park. Homestead Park has the same topographical features which only need to...

I can say with confidence my dog and I love this park. There are regulars who meet here, the dogs and owners are generally friendly, it's spacious, there is a pump/well water, with shade and benches. Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because that ground could use some help. Either seed it so grass grows or throw more mulch in there so the dust and mud isn't so overwhelming on super dry or super wet days. Sometimes you see the deer walk out of the woods and come right up to the fence, that's really cool. I love that most times the parents and children will maintain distance and just SHARE the space with them.

Some of the paths could use some work. The picnic area also could use some TLC, but overall, a very nice neighborhood park. There's a playground, some trails for jogging/walking, turf fields, small basketball court, picnic space, dog park and the indoor swimming pool....