Public Space and Sustainability

Protecting and preserving Hillsborough’s small-town charm and community character is a top priority for the town. Hillsborough seeks to provide healthy public spaces that encourage relationships and showcase the natural and cultural resources of the town.

The division uses placemaking strategies and sustainability principles to ensure a healthy environment while also providing inviting spaces where residents and visitors can explore and congregate. Connectivity and accessibility are key goals. The division focuses on building accessible bicycle and pedestrian connections between neighborhoods and area destinations. Because beauty and function are integral parts of a well-built urban environment, the division looks for opportunities to integrate public art into the landscape.

From neighborhood parks to greenways, Hillsborough offers many opportunities for recreation. For more information, see the recreation facilities page on this website.

The division oversees grounds maintenance at the three town-maintained cemeteries. The Public Works Division oversees cemetery operations and burials at the Town Cemetery. For more information, see the cemeteries page on this website.

The Public Space and Sustainability Division studies and oversees most major town construction projects, including advertising for and accepting bids. See the public projects and  bid postings pages on this website for more information.

Three of the town's appointed advisory boards are supported by Public Space and Sustainability Division staff:

• Parks and Recreation Board — works to prioritize recommendations in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and Community Connectivity Plan and reviews recreational resources for new developments in town.
• Tree Board — works to prioritize town planting projects and hears requests by residents for planting and removal of town trees. The Tree Board also provides public education about tree care and oversees the Tree City USA and Bee City USA programs.

The town is developing a comprehensive sustainability plan to advance its sustainability and resiliency goals, including its clean energy pledge. The plan will guide future development and the transition to 100% clean energy, balancing environmental stewardship, resiliency and racial justice with smart growth that will allow for a thriving economy and quality of life for the residents of Hillsborough. For more information, see the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan page on this website.

The division has won the following awards:

North Carolina Marvin Collins Award: Honorable Mention ― for outstanding planning on the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.

• Presented by: North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association in 2023
• Work performed by: Planning and Economic Development Division and Public Space and Sustainability Division

Engineering Excellence ― for planning and mapping on the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.

• Presented by: American Council of Engineering Companies in 2023
• Work performed by: Planning and Economic Development Division and Public Space and Sustainability Division

People's Choice Award ― for the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan

• Presented by: American Council of Engineering Companies in 2023
• Work performed by: Planning and Economic Development Division and Public Space and Sustainability Division