Chapel Hill is on the verge of opening up Southern Community Park. Well, part of it.

Crews at what will be the town’s largest park have finished up or are closing in on completeing picnic areas, a dog park, a connection with the Fan Branch Greenway, play areas, a roller hockey rink, basketball courts, outdoor art, restrooms and parking.

Town officials are hoping some parts of the park can be open by late September but have already started to get the word out that it will be another year before teams can use the park’s playing fields.

A recent letter to residents living near the park says the three new soccer fields, highly visible to those traveling U.S. 15-501, won’t be useable until summer of 2009.

Last year’s drought delayed sodding and the fields’ hybrid Bermuda will need another year to get fully established. Work also remains on natural surface trails and a disc golf course.

— Staff Reports