Chavis-Dix Strollway Community Input Survey 2

Thank you for participating in Survey 2 for the Chavis-Dix Strollway. The Strollway is a 1.3-mile cultural trail connecting John Chavis Memorial Park and Dix Park along the southern edge of downtown Raleigh. Building on the South Park Heritage Trail, the Strollway will feature interpretive elements that bring to life the people and places that shaped this area, making it a way to explore and celebrate Raleigh’s history. Your input will directly inform identification of top priorities for implementing in the initial segment of the Strollway.

The project is currently supported by $1.5 million in federal funding to develop a full concept plan for the entire length of the trail, informed by community input, while identifying a small segment for initial construction. Full implementation of the concept will require additional funding.

This survey is open August 20-September 10 and takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Personal information will not be shared in any summaries or reports without permission.

Your Connection to the Strollway Corridor

These questions help us understand who is participating and how people use the corridor today.

How familiar are you with the Chavis-Dix Strollway project?

I'm somewhat familiar with the project and the Strollway corridor's surrounding context

40%

I've never heard of it, this survey is my first introduction

26%

I've heard of it, but don't know what it's about

20%

I'm very familiar with the project and the Strollway corridor's surrounding context

13%

Closed to responses | 209 Responses

Have you participated in previous public engagement activities regarding the Chavis-Dix Strollway?

(select all that apply)

82%

Yes, I participated in: "Stroll in the Streets" community event (2021)

Yes, I participated in: Saturday on South Block party updates (2024)

Yes, I participated in: Community Meeting #1 (2026)

Yes, I participated in: Pop-up events as part of Community Planning Month (2022)

Yes, I participated in: Outreach at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts (2024)

Yes, I participated in: Stakeholder Events (2026)

Yes, I participated in: Public sessions on route options (2022)

Closed to responses | 196 Responses

Which of the following best describes your connection to the Strollway corridor and surrounding area?

(select all that apply)

I live in or near downtown

47%

I regularly visit John Chavis Memorial Park or Dix Park

45%

I live in the City of Raleigh, but not near the Strollway corridor

27%

I live in or near the Third Ward / East Raleigh-South Park neighborhood

16%

I live in or near Boylan Heights

I work or operate a business along the Strollway corridor

I do not live in Raleigh, but visit Raleigh

I am a former resident of the historic Fourth Ward

Other

I attend a place of worship that was formerly located in the historic Fourth Ward

I am a Shaw University student or faculty member

I attend a place of worship along the Strollway corridor

Closed to responses | 195 Responses

How do you currently move through the Strollway corridor?

(select all that apply)

I drive through the corridor

60%

I walk or roll through the corridor

37%

I bike through the corridor

27%

I attend events or programs at parks, churches or community centers along this corridor

25%

I don't currently travel through this corridor

21%

I use public transit along this corridor

Closed to responses | 193 Responses

Storytelling Themes

These questions explore what matters most to you in the storytelling experience of the Strollway.

The Strollway’s storytelling themes were identified through input from the first public engagement window, oral histories, and archival research documenting more than 600 historic resources along the route – approximately 67 civic and institutional sites, 399 commercial businesses, and 214 home-based businesses – many of which no longer exist today.

Chavis-Dix Strollway Storytelling Themes Axon Diagram

All 10 themes are important to the overall Strollway story. For the initial Phase 1 segment, please select 5 themes you would most like to see emphasized, recognizing that additional themes may be reflected in future phases.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment - The artists, entertainers, venues, traditions, and creative energy that brought people together and established the community's cultural identity.

69%

Everyday Joy & Outdoor Life - The parks, sports, informal gatherings, outdoor traditions, children's play, celebrations, and the everyday experiences that continue to bring enjoyment and connection to community life.

68%

Black Enterprise - Black-owned businesses, commercial corridors, home-based enterprises, professional services, and the many ways residents made a living and supported one another.

64%

Home, Neighborhood & Belonging - Self-sustaining, self-sufficient networks of families, friends, and neighbors who looked out for one another – bonds strengthened through social gatherings, volunteering, and shared collective experiences.

62%

Education & Opportunity - Schools, educators, students, campuses, training opportunities, and the enduring role of education in expanding possibility and strengthening community leadership.

42%

Leadership & Legacy: Fourth Ward - The people and organizations that strengthened the neighborhood, represented residents, and continue to preserve community identity of the Fourth Ward.

41%

Government & Change - Government policies, development infrastructure, and urban renewal that changed the community, and how residents responded, adapted, and advocated for their neighborhoods.

36%

Leadership & Legacy: Third Ward - Schools, educators, students, campuses, training opportunities, and the enduring role of education in expanding possibility and strengthening community leadership.

30%

Care, Healing & Wellbeing - Healing traditions, community support networks, medical schools, healthcare providers, caregivers, and the places and practices that sustained physical, emotional, and collective wellbeing.

25%

Faith, Fellowship & Civic Life - The churches, community centers, civic organizations, and other institutions that provided leadership, fellowship, services, and spaces for collective action.

23%

Closed to responses | 176 Responses

Do any of the Storytelling Themes need to be revised?

Please share your thoughts below.

Closed for Comments

Are there other themes not listed that you think should be represented?

Please share your thoughts below.

Closed for Comments

Refining the Concept Plan

The current concept plan takes the following approach along the Strollway route:

Directional wayfinding signage at all intersections and midway points.
Perforated panels at the John Chavis Memorial Park and Dix Park entry/access points, and where the Strollway converges with the South Park Heritage Trail at the intersection of South and Wilmington Streets.
An information kiosk along the South Street corridor, adjacent to the northern edge of the Heritage Park redevelopment site.
Information pedestals distributed throughout to identify and provide context for the storytelling themes.
Concentrations of sidewalk plaques, medallion inlays, and public art west of Dawson Street to interpret and celebrate the history of the Fourth Ward.

Chavis-Dix Strollway Concept Plan Axon Diagram
Chavis-Dix Strollway Signage Suite Examples

Does the proposed Concept Plan align with your vision of the Chavis-Dix Strollway and are there any comments you would like to share about the proposed Concept Plan?

(drag the dot from left to right)

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Four signage types (Information Kiosks, Directional Wayfinding, Perforated Panels, and Information Pedestals) will be included as core elements of the Strollway design. Beyond these, the concept plan includes additional interpretive and placemaking elements, each requiring a different level of investment. You have 3 priority points to spend on the additional elements below You can pick any items, but the total points selected cannot exceed 3 points.

(spend a total of 3 points by dragging the options below in rank order from highest at the top to the lowest at the bottom)

Closed to responses | 82 Responses

Community Stories Live On

Do you have a special memory from the Third or Fourth Wards that you did not get to share during Public Engagement Phase 1? Help us tell the story of these places by responding any of the prompts below.

Please complete any of the following prompts you’d like to share:

My favorite memory of my neighborhood is:

Closed to responses

An event that deserves to be remembered is:

Closed to responses

Chavis-Dix Strollway users should know this about my neighborhood:

Closed to responses

A person who made a difference in our community is:

Closed to responses

A hidden gem in our neighborhood was:

Closed to responses

Stay Connected

We’d love to keep you informed and involved as the project moves forward!

Contact Information

If you would like to stay informed about the Chavis-Dix Strollway project and be invited to future public meetings, please share your contact information below. This information will only be used for project-related communications.

Thank you for taking this survey!

For more information on this project, visit the project webpage: https://raleighnc.gov/projects/chavis-dix-strollway

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