The Trinity Park Foundation, Inc. (“The Foundation”) was formed in May 1980 to acquire and own the land now known as The Park in Trinity Park, which was then known as the “Tot Lot.”
The Foundation is 501(c)(3) organization and is a separate legal entity from the Trinity Park Neighborhood Association (“TPNA”), which is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation but does not have 501(c)(3) status. The Foundation is connected to TPNA in that The Foundation’s Board includes three elected officers from TPNA’s Board. Six additional Directors are elected according to the bylaws to serve on the Foundation Board. There are no other members of The Foundation. The Foundation provides reports and information to TPNA at least annually.
In addition to its ownership of The Park, TPNA gave the Foundation greater designated responsibility for neighborhood capital improvements in 2014. With this charge, the Foundation focuses on four areas: The Park, medians, public art in the neighborhood, and trees.
Use of The Park
The Foundation leases The Park to the City of Durham. The City’s Parks and Recreation (P&R) assumes certain liabilities and duties for the running of that space, just like any city park. The Foundation is indemnified for the City’s use of The Park, and The Park is governed by all P&R rules. The gazebo can be reserved by anyone in Durham and The Park is open to all residents of Durham. The Foundation has the ability to make improvements and augment maintenance of The Park, in partnership with P&R.
Our Mission
- To encourage and promote community pride in the neighborhood by providing a focus for neighborhood activity.
- To preserve and enhance the physical character of the neighborhood by encouraging maintenance, revitalization, and beautification of buildings and grounds (including shade trees), and by encouraging the renovation of existing buildings rather than their demolition and replacement
- To acquire and maintain such properties or real estate as the Trinity Park Neighborhood Association deems of interest or as contributing to the overall character of the neighborhood
Board of Directors
The Foundation Board is made up of nine Directors — six at-large Directors and three Directors who also serve as officers of the TPNA. The 2026 Directors are:
- Karalyn Colopy, President (at-large)
- Nick Kirby, Vice President (at-large)
- Sarah Hodder, Secretary (at-large)
- Shelley Dekker, Treasurer (at-large)
- Chris Jewell (at-large)
- Dan Jewell (at-large)
- Annie Ambrose (TPNA officer)
- Scott Doron (TPNA officer)
- Mollie Flowe (TPNA officer)
Want to get involved? Contact us at trinityparkfoundation@gmail.com.
