Enjoy the Legion Pond property in Chapel Hill while you can. Use the nature trails or drop a line. Fishing is allowed but it’s at your own risk. The town hasn’t tested the water quality or fish health. Catch and release is recommended. No swimming. In the fall, the town will put a construction fence around the pond area and restrict parking for safety. The trails that connect to Ephesus Park will remain open. They’ll remove the dam, pond and surrounding trees. An engineering study classified the dam as a high risk with a high probability of failure. They’ll install an outlet pipe for stormwater. This work will cost millions and signal the start of transforming the top of the property along Legion Road into a future home for 150 affordable housing units, a constructed wetland and years later a new public park. This work could be completed in spring/summer 2027 and housing construction could start in 2028.
PHOTO BY SUSAN KELLY 9/26/26