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In 2018, voters passed a $120 million Parks, Greenways Recreation and Open Space bond.
Current Status
Learn about the status of current projects and progress that's been made so far.
View the Current Status of Approved Projects
PROJECT |
STATUS |
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE |
Raleigh Crabtree Creek West |
Construction |
Summer 2024 |
Beech Bluff County Park |
Construction |
Late 2024 |
Apex Middle Creek |
Construction |
Summer 2025 |
Apex West |
Construction |
Summer 2024 |
Kellam Wyatt Farm – Phase I |
Planning and Design |
Fall 2025 |
Blue Jay Point Improvements |
Planning and Design |
Winter 2025 |
Buffalo Creek Nature Preserve |
Planning and Design |
Fall 2025 |
Lake Myra County Park - Phase 1 |
Planning and Design |
Winter 2026 |
286 Property |
Planning and Design |
Funded through Design only |
Swift Creek Greenway |
Planning and Design |
Funded through Design only |
Triangle Bikeway |
Planning and Design |
Funded through Design only |
Swift Creek Nature Preserve |
Planning and Design |
Funded through Design only |
Little River Nature Preserve |
Planning and Design |
Funded through Design only |
Harris Lake Improvements |
Planning and Design |
Summer 2026 |
Historic Oak View Improvements |
Planning and Design |
Summer 2026 |
Crowder Improvements |
Planning and Design |
Summer 2027 |
BW Wells |
Planning and Design |
Funded through Master Plan only |
Lake Crabtree Improvements |
Planned Project |
Spring 2027 |
Historic Yates Mill Improvements |
Planned Project |
Summer 2027 |
Green Hills Improvements |
Planned Project |
Spring 2028 |
Sinclair Preserve |
Planned Project |
Funded through Design only |
American Tobacco Trail Improvements |
Planned Project |
Funded through Design only |
Project Descriptions
Select a category below to learn more about the details of current projects.
Open Space Acquisition
Investment: $11.9 million
Through a Request for Projects process in 2019, the Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 20 properties. Since then, we’ve purchased 1,330 acres of property for future parks, nature preserves and open space.
Greenway Development
Municipal Greenways
Investment: $4.7 million
A 2019 Request for Projects process identified three local greenways for development:
Swift Creek Greenway
Investment: $3.5 million
Community planning is now taking place on the Swift Creek Greenway! This multi-use path will connect Cary, Raleigh and Garner following the Swift Creek.
Learn how you can get involved and share your thoughts below.
Learn more
Triangle Bikeway
Investment: $4.7 million Wake County + $485,000 RTP = $5.185 million total investment
This 16-foot-wide paved trail for cyclists and pedestrians would run alongside Interstate 40 between Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Wake County commissioners agreed to fund the design of the project from Raleigh through the Research Triangle Park.
New Park Projects
Beech Bluff County Park
Investment: $26.127 million
Beech Bluff County Park is 300 acres and is located in the southeast corner of Wake County adjacent to the towns of Garner and Fuquay-Varina. Groundbreaking and construction are planned for fall 2022, with an anticipated opening date of late 2024.
Kellam Wyatt Preserve
Investment: $5.49 million
Kellam-Wyatt Preserve is 59 acres and is located in east-central Wake County, near the border between Raleigh and Knightdale. The property was donated to Wake County with a conservation easement, which means the land is legally limited to certain uses that support conservation values such as open space, scenic views, habitat and watershed protection, preservation of rural character and agricultural production.
Lake Myra County Park
Investment: $16 million
Lake Myra County Park, located south of Knightdale and Wendell, is a 224-acre property in the Marks Creek watershed. The former site of a gristmill and general store, the lake was also one of the most popular destinations in the area. The park will open the site to recreational opportunities, including a park center, day-use shelters, playground, nature overlooks, boardwalks and trails.
286 Property
This 150-acre property known as “286,” located between Umstead State Park and Lake Crabtree County Park, is being leased by Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space as of Jan. 1, 2023. Master planning on trails will take place soon.
New Preserve Projects
Sinclair Preserve
Investment: $100,000
This 336-acre open space assemblage is in northern Wake County off
Highway 50. The 2018 bond envisioned approximately $1.3 million in funding for the Sinclair Nature Preserve, which will include master planning. Funded through design only.
Buffalo Creek Preserve
Investment: $2.54 million
Buffalo Creek Nature Preserve protects just over 900 acres of blackwater cypress swamp and adjacent upland habitat along Buffalo Creek in eastern Wake County. This natural heritage blackwater cypress swamp is the only habitat of this type in Wake County and features flora and fauna more common to the coastal plain.
Little River Preserve
Investment: $50,000
Little River Nature Preserve, from U.S. 64 to the Franklin County line, encompasses approximately 3,700 acres of wetlands, vast open fields and forested areas. With diverse vegetation and topography, the site offers a variety of recreation and environmental education opportunities while preserving sensitive habitats and ecosystems. Activities may include mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, wildlife observation and horseback riding. Founded through design only.
Swift Creek Preserve
Investment: $50,000
Swift Creek Nature Preserve lies along the Swift Creek corridor from Lake Wheeler to Lake Benson. The nature preserve is wooded and includes significant wetlands, floodplain and wildlife habitat. The natural surface trails provide opportunities for hiking, walking, environmental education, birdwatching and wildlife overlooks. Funded through design only.
Improvements to Existing Parks
Blue Jay Point Improvements
Investment: $5.7 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Blue Jay Point focus on new facilities such as a picnic pavilion and improving features the park is already known for like access to lake shore and its natural playground.
Harris Lake Improvements
Investment: $5.7 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Harris Lake focus on improving existing facilities such as access to lakefront and the disc golf course, including development of a new youth course and restrooms.
Historic Oak View Improvements
Investment: $3.5 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Historic Oak View focus on new facilities such as the development of a playground, interpretive exhibits in the main house and additional trails in the pecan grove.
Lake Crabtree Improvements
Investment: $6.2 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Lake Crabtree focus on new facilities like the park center, while improving the park loop trail and parking.
Crowder Improvements
Investment: $4.9 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Crowder focus on new facilities such as a park center and classroom; improving the natural playground, pond overlook and teaching platform; and integrating the additional 96 acres acquired in July 2019.
American Tobacco Trail Improvements
Investment: $710,000
Renovations and improvements slated for the ATT focus on the visitor experience and improve access to drinking water, restrooms and expanded parking. Connectivity to the trail continues to expand through both public and private partnerships and with it comes a need for better wayfinding and signage. Funded through design only.
Historic Yates Mill Improvements
Investment: $4.7 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Historic Yates Mill focus on improvements to the water’s edge for recreational pursuits, improved access to the Mill, and development of additional hiking opportunities including a boardwalk along Creekside Trail.
Green Hills Improvements
Investment: $2.7 million
Renovations and improvements slated for Green Hills focus on new facilities such as the “Top of Hill” trail and a skate facility, along with improvements to the playground.