Hillsborough's Gold Park reopens after major repairs from Tropical Storm Chantal damage

Hillsborough town leaders have reopened Golf Park nearly three months after damage caused by Tropical Storm Chantal. 

It took weeks and hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair the flood-ravaged space. Town officials said watermarks in the park’s restrooms reached 6 feet high. Flooding from the nearby Eno River destroyed fencing, damaged the surface underneath the play structure and carried away a public art installation. 

“We have missed it,” said park visitor Sigi Grandstaff. “It was incredible. We were amazed at the damage.”

Tropical Storm Chantal brought an estimated 10.5 inches of rain to Hillsborough, leading to a rapid increase in the levels of the Eno River. In addition to other damages to town facilities, the Public Works facility was inundated, causing a total loss of nine vehicles. The town said the estimated replacement cost for these vehicles will be approximately $2.3 million. 

Town leaders said crews rebuilt Gold Park’s restrooms with materials that are less susceptible to water damage.

A review of the town’s response to Chantal is also prompting more changes to prepare for the next storm. 

“The biggest loss to the town in Chantal was related to our public works facility,” said Assistant Town Manager Matt Efird. “The equipment that was damaged there is in the process of being replaced. We have an alternate location, so we will avoid future risks there.”

That preparedness is already kicking into high gear as the chance for another round of tropical impacts looms.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday urged residents in coastal areas of the Southeastern U.S. to pay attention to local officials as they monitor an area with a high chance of development that could become our next named storm.

“If you have a disaster kit, take a minute to inventory that. Where do you stand on that? Is everything still good to go? Are your batteries still charged? Your flashlight is good to go?” said Justin Graney with North Carolina Emergency Management.

Graney reminded North Carolinians that the Atlantic hurricane season runs through November. 

“North Carolinians need to remember the lessons learned over the past several years and that it only takes one storm with impacts to your community to bring about issues,” Graney said. 

For many visitors, Gold Park is a reminder of the sudden and devastating impacts tropical systems can have. 

“On my street, there are still lots of people with dumpsters out in front of their house, probably a lot of people still trying to get their insurance claims in,” Robert Gaddy said. “Am I prepared for this? Is the city prepared for it?”

According to the town of Hillsborough, the Riverwalk is open from Eno Mountain Road to Cameron Street. The greenway remains closed from Cameron Street to Occoneechee Speedway.