The Greensboro Planning Department is asking area residents to give them some advice on how to achieve “a better-designed walkway to connect Douglas Park and Downtown Greenway both physically and socially.”  The city is also holding a barbeque picnic to celebrate the Greenway work that’s already been done.

If you’d like to provide input on designing a better Douglas Park connector, then attend the Douglas Park Spur Design Open House from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 in the Nettie Coad Building’s Community Room at 503 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Greensboro.  (You can use the ramp in back of the building to access the room.)

According to event organizers, there’s no formal presentation planned, so those interested can just drop by any time during those three hours to talk with the project team, learn more about the project and share any thoughts as to the best way to go about it.

Another Greenway event coming up soon is the Second Annual Downtown Greenway Community Picnic, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 8 along the Downtown Greenway at 501 E. Bragg St.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online for $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.

There are a limited number of tickets available.

It’s not exactly cheap for a city event; however, you get some quality entertainment and great barbecue in return, and it’s for a good cause: All proceeds will support the free community programming offered year-round along the Downtown Greenway.

World-renowned NC pitmaster Ed Mitchell, who recently published a new cookbook with his son Ryan, will take part. (Hardcover copies of Mitchell’s book can be purchased online from Scuppernong Books, and the two will be offering on-site book sales at the picnic.)

Greensboro songwriter Colin Cutler will provide live music, while local speaker Ivey Ghee will be an emcee as well as a conversation partner for the Mitchells.

As for the food, “Whole-hog barbeque will be served fresh off the smoker, along with classic southern sides and desserts.”  Some of the food will be provided by downtown Greensboro restaurant Cille and Scoe.

This event, which  is part of July’s National Parks and Recreation Month, is a joint effort of the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department, Greensboro Parks Foundation and Greensboro Bound.

Also contributing is North Carolina A&T State University.  The heritage breed hog will be provided by University Farm – a nearly 500-acre working farm that features active livestock and horticultural production.

About