We just recently put up the holiday lights on the Fan Branch Trail tunnel. It is a tradition I have been doing with my friend Christian for 10 years now!
How it started
I had been studying the concept of tactical urbanism, the practice of quick, and sometime short term actions to improve a public space. My wife, Barbara, and I were talking about it over breakfast, and from that discussion a plan was made. I measured the tunnel, bought some lights and some metal frames to drape them over the entrance, and Barb and I snuck out one night and put them up. We were a little afraid of what might happen as we hadn’t asked for any permission – we just did it.
The lights quickly became popular, and we even received Christmas cards from walkers who enjoyed passing under the lights. The Fan Branch Trail winds its way into Southern Village, and it is a popular path for UNC employees to walk home from the campus or hospital, which is just up the hill.
One year, we left the lights a little longer than normal, due to schedules and traveling. The town came through and removed the lights. Ooops. I finally contacted the Parks and Rec department, and explained the history. We arranged an agreement and I am now putting the lights up with their knowledge. The new system uses professional lights, which are of better quality but also has sealed ends so there are no exposed plugs. They are LED so they do not use much power.
We have been contacted by people, asking to help pay for the lights. So now put a small note next to the lights so people know about them and we solicit donations for people who wish to donate to some local charities.
This year, will be the first year without my wife Barb, who passed away in March. Christian and I wanted to get the lights out once again, to honor and remember her. So, if you enjoy the lights, think of Barb as you pass underneath them. Barb was the inspiration and the instigator for the idea.
As always, the lights were brought out by bike, a key part of this yearly tradition. And, in January, when it is time to take them down, we haul them back home by bike
