East Durham, East End, Lyon, Northgate, and Walltown all sit on land Durham once used for incinerator waste. Parts of each have been fenced since 2023. Here is where each one stands.
A quick note on reading this page. Restrictions come from the city’s information hub, and planned access changes come from the city’s October 16, 2026 fencing memo. A planned change is an announced intention; until the work is done and verified, treat it that way. “RAP” is a Remedial Action Plan, the state-reviewed cleanup plan for a site. Conditions change, so trust the signage in front of you over anything written here.[1, 4, 7]
What’s closed: Playground and shelter listed closed by the city.
Fencing and access plans: Under the planned new fencing, most of the park is restricted. The basketball court and the Harvard Ave–E Main St path are planned to be accessible; the playground remains closed.
Cleanup plan: Remedial Action Plan 12+ months out under state prioritization (as of Sept. 2026).
Preliminary cap/cover estimate: $3.24M (NCDEQ, May 2026). A planning figure, not a bid price.
What’s closed: Playground, east-side shelter, and pergola listed closed by the city.
Fencing and access plans: East End is moving through a separate redevelopment pathway and is not part of the A1 Consulting four-park study. Cap/cover was judged incompatible with planned work; interim streambank stabilization is possible.
Cleanup plan: Remedial Action Plan several months away (as of Sept. 2026); handled within the redevelopment project.
Preliminary cap/cover estimate: $4.19M (NCDEQ, May 2026). A planning figure, not a bid price.
What’s closed: Playground and ball field listed closed by the city.
Fencing and access plans: New fencing is planned around the Teen Center green areas and corridors; the playground remains closed.
Cleanup plan: Remedial Action Plan was expected in October 2026. We have not yet seen it delivered.
Preliminary cap/cover estimate: $9.97M (NCDEQ, May 2026). A planning figure, not a bid price.
What’s closed: Youth, tot, and swing-area playgrounds listed closed by the city. Northgate also has a history of imported incinerator ash/fill.
Fencing and access plans: The new fence plan would reopen green spaces near W. Club Blvd, Ellerbee Creek, W. Lavender St, and the former dog park. All three playgrounds remain closed.
Cleanup plan: Remedial Action Plan 12+ months out under state prioritization (as of Sept. 2026).
Preliminary cap/cover estimate: $1.16M (NCDEQ, May 2026). A planning figure, not a bid price.
What’s closed: The city's general hub lists the playground, grass field, and double basketball court as affected. The newer Oct. 16 fencing memo says the large basketball-court circuit stays open while the small court is closed. We treat the memo as the better guide to the city's plan, but check conditions on site.
Fencing and access plans: Most of the park is restricted under the new fence plan; the large basketball-court circuit is planned to remain open.
Cleanup plan: A revised draft Remedial Action Plan was expected in October 2026. We have not yet seen it delivered.
Preliminary cap/cover estimate: $5.87M (NCDEQ, May 2026). A planning figure, not a bid price.
Across all five parks, the state’s preliminary cap-and-cover estimate comes to roughly $24.4 million. The city reports $12 million available or identified.[4]
Photos: Durham Parks & Recreation.