Durham Open Space and Trails Commission (DOST)

Advocating outdoor recreation opportunities for Durham residents since 1983


DOST website

Northgate Park

About DOST

Download the DOST brochure and learn the basics of our organization! [PDF format]

The Durham Open Space and Trails Commission is an advisory board whose mission is to foster the wise use of Durham, North Carolina's natural resources while involving and educating all segments of the Durham Community. In addition, the Commission advises the City Council and the County Board of Commissioners on matters relating to open space preservation and trail development.

DOST consists of eight members appointed by both the City Council and Board of County Commissioners, four elected or appointed officials, and up to 10 members appointed by the Commission.

Members of the public are invited to attend our monthly meetings. They are held at 7pm on the third Wednesday of every month in the 2nd Floor Committee Room of City Hall.

[From the 2001 Durham Trails and Greenways Master Plan]

"The City Council of Durham created a citizens advisory body -- the Durham Urban Trails and Greenways Commission -- on June 20, 1983, to develop plans for a citywide trails and greenways system. The Commission was responsibile for preparing the DUTAG Master Plan that was adopted by the City in 1985. Durham County, meanwhile, had passed a bond referendum in 1986 which included funding for open space and recreation. The Board of County Commissioners had also appointed a citizens advisory body -- the Open Space Commission -- in 1989 to assist them with their programs in these areas. Among the first proposals of the Open Space Commission was the Matching Grants Program.

"Realizing that there was significant overlap in the goals and interests of these two commissions, both elected bodies agreed to combine the Durham County Open Space Commission and the Durham Urban Trails and Greenways Commission into the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission (DOST) in late 1993 through an interlocal agreement."

[From Section 2 of the DOST By-Laws, approved January 17, 1996]

"The primary purpose of the Commission shall be to provide advice to the [City] Council and [County] Board [of Commissioners] on matters relating to open space preservation and trail development. In order to provide recreational and environmental benefits for the citizens of Durham County, the Commission shall promote the preservation of valuable open spaces, the preservation of natural vegetation and stream valleys within the urban and rural environment, and the development of trails and other appropriate recreational and transportation facilities for pedestrians and bicycles. The Commission shall promote the protection of the natural environment where appropriate to serve the public interest, with equal consideration for the long-term care of the environment and the short-term pressures of growth. In doing so, the Commission shall foster the wise use of the County's natural resources and shall strive to involve all segments of the Durham community.

"In achieving these purposes, the Commission shall have the following specific powers and duties related to open space preservation and trails development:

  • To formulate and recommend to the Governing Bodies plans, goals, objectives, policies, standard, programs and priorities.
  • To advise the Council and Board on public and private development decisions.
  • To formulate and recommend to the Governing Bodies proposals for acquisition and capital improvements.
  • To educate the citizens of Durham County about the City and County's programs.
  • To submit an annual report to the Council and Board about the activities of the Commission.
  • To encourage gifts, donations, bequests and easements and to raise funds for open space and trail purposes through the sale of items which increase public awareness about City and County programs.
  • To assist in the management of the County's Matching Grants Program.
  • To advise the City and County administrative staff.
  • To perform any other duties as the Council and/or Board may from time-to-time delegate to the Commission.

    • "The Goals of the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission are:

  • To plan for the preservation of environmentally significant sites such as scenic stream corridors, Durham County Inventory sites, wetlands, and other lands which represent Durham's natural heritage.
  • To provide nature, pedestrian, bicycle, and rail trails, in Durham City and County for recreation and transportation linkages to public and private community facilities. In making these linkages, priority should be given to intensive use areas, public and private.
  • To support provision of active recreation areas.
  • To educate and involve Durham's citizens on the importance of preserving open space lands within the City and County, and of the need to provide open space as an integral part of the infrastructure that accompanies the development of land.
  • To assist in preservation and long term protection of existing areas in Durham County that are presently used for passive or active recreation."

    • The Durham County Open Space Commission merged with the Durham Urban Trails and Greenways Commission in 199?, thereby forming DOST.



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