September-October 2003

TRIANGLE GREENWAYS COUNCIL ENDORSES

RALEIGH PARKS AND GREENWAYS BOND

At their September meeting, the Board of Directors of
the Triangle Greenways Council unanimously adopted a
resolution supporting the City of Raleigh's $47
million Parks and Greenways Bond, approval of which
awaits voters in the City of Oaks' on October 7.  The
bond would provide for 19 miles of Greenways in 11
different projects. Significant toward the Triangle
Greenways Council's goal of a "Circle the Triangle"
greenway, the bond would fund completion of the
greenways grid from Falls Lake to the Art Museum and
from Umstead Park to the Neuse River.  This vital link
would run from the Neuse River Dam to the CASL
(Capitol Area Soccer League) soccer fields and from
downtown Raleigh to the Centennial Campus. The Art
Museum Pedestrian Bridge across I-440 is scheduled to
break ground this Fall, so the House Creek Greenways
would link back to Crabtree Creek.

Board Member Bill Flournoy expresses the sentiments of
the TGC Board: "Because of the attractiveness of the
Triangle region, we enjoy strong and continuing
growth.  We need to approve this Bond to ensure we
keep the quality of life and opportunities that
continue to attract people to the Capitol City."

The Triangle Greenways Council urges the citizens of
Raleigh to turn out in force on October 7 and vote!
More information can be found at
http://www.raleighparks.com.

PEOPLE FOR PARKS: CANDIDATES SURVEY

Questions involving Raleigh City Council candidates'
priorities, and their opinions on stewardship of
natural resources, citizen participation, and
regionalism related to parks and open space
preservation were posed to candidates by People for
Parks.  Their responses just might help you make a
decision about who should lead our city for the next
two years!  For more info, go to
http://www.people4parks.org.


TRIANGLE GREENWAYS UPDATE

Durham

The City of Durham now has downloadable versions of
trail maps online at
www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/parks/trails.cfm

Progress on the Eno River Greenway - the consultant
(Coulter Jewell Thames) has presented the schematic
design to the Eno River Association, the Friends of
West Point Park, and the Durham Open Space and Trails
Commission.  The actual bridge over the Eno River will
be the major construction--and expense--of this
project.  It will be a single span bridge, about 250
feet long, near the US 501 bridge.

The Downtown Trail section of the North/South Greenway
has gained some "trail furniture" even before the
construction is underway. The Durham Central Park
friends group has purchased (and the Bull City is
installing) four custom bike racks designed to look
like huge bulls. 

The Stadium Drive trail (the link between the existing
sections of the Ellerbee Creek and Warren Creek
Trails) is under construction as a part of the
construction of Stadium Drive itself.  Things were
slowed by the wet summer but are moving ahead again.

The site plans for the Third Fork Creek Trail have
been submitted to the City/County Planning Department
in hopes for an approved plan by late October. This
could enable bidding out the project in November for
construction.  This project has been a long one - at
least seven years working out land acquisition and
wetlands issues!

The American Tobacco Trail and the Rocky
Creek/Pearsontown Trails finally have their signage
installed: directional, mileage, and trailhead kiosks.
  (Submitted by Beth Timson)

Chapel Hill

The Chapel Hill Town Council has agreed to place 2
greenways related bonds issues on the November 2003
ballot, including a $5,000,000 bond specifically for
greenway development. If it passes, this would be by
far the largest potential funding source the Chapel
Hill Greenways program has ever had to draw upon. The
second bond would be $2,000,000 for open space
acquisition. The Town has almost expended the final
$3,000,000 open space bond passed by the voters in
1996.

The Town Council also authorized the Chapel Hill
Greenways Commission to investigate certain revisions
to the Town's Greenways Master Plan. The Commission
will begin work this month.  (Submitted by Bill
Webster)

Raleigh

In August, the Capital Area Greenway expanded by
another 1.6 miles. The Crabtree Creek - Oak Park Trail
was dedicated extending the trail into the Oak Park
neighborhood. Users of the Capital Area Greenway
system can now bicycle or walk from Long Street north
of Shelley Lake to Oak Park, a distance of
approximately 7 1/2 miles.

Construction has begun on the Crabtree Creek Trail
section that will connect Kiwanis Park to Buckeye
Trail. This section of greenway is scheduled to be
completed in the fall of 2004 and when completed will
extend almost completely across the City of Raleigh, a
distance of over 11 miles.   (Submitted by Vic
Lebsock)

The City of Raleigh will submit a $47 million bond
before voters on Tuesday, October 7.  $11.79 million
would be for the development of 11 new greenway
trails.  The City Council also added $150,000 to the
bond for a whitewater park proposal. 

On the same day, from 3:00-7:00 PM, the NC Museum of
Art will present the grand opening of their Museum
Park.  This event will highlight the Park's new trail
network and the beginning of the bridge-crossing of
I-440, which will connect the Museum of Art to the
rest of the Raleigh Greenway system (provided the
Raleigh Parks Bonds are passed in that day's
election!).  This project will create connections to
Meredith College, Umstead Park, Crabtree Valley Mall,
Cary and beyond. The event will also highlight the
speaker Richard Florida, author of The "Rise of the
Creative Class." Anyone who would like a personalized
invitation can contact Sig Hutchinson at
Sig@SuccessToday.com and to receive a VIP invitation.

Wake County Opens First Sections of American Tobacco
Trail

The big news of the year is that the ATT in Wake is
NOW OPEN! The trail officially opened on July 19. This
is the first 3.5 miles of what will be about 7 miles
of shared use trail in Wake County.

The trail surface is composed of granite screenings,
which is easy on the ankles, yet firm enough to
accommodate a variety of users. Hikers, runners, road
and off-road cyclists, equestrians and those in
wheelchairs are welcome to use the trail (sorry
roller-bladers).  Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Please follow the rules on the signage that is
available at trail entrances and please be respectful
of your fellow trail users, the trail itself and the
natural areas you are accessing.

Hours of operation are daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closing
hours will change as Fall progresses with earlier
sunsets. The trail officially closes an hour before
sunset. Check the sign upon entering the parking areas
to verify closing times.

For more information and comments, contact the
American Tobacco Trail manager, Tony D'Amico at 919
387-2117 Email: Tony.D'Amico@co.wake.nc.us

Parking and Trailhead Access - there are two trailhead
parking areas. The principal parking area is off of
New Hill-Olive Chapel Road, two miles south of US 64.
From Raleigh, Cary and points east, go west on US 64
to the NC 751 traffic light. Turn left or south onto
New Hill-Olive Chapel Road. Go two miles, crossing a
bridge over Beaver Creek. Just past the bridge, turn
left into gravel drive and go through the gate. Note
closing time sign at entrance. If gate is closed and
locked, trail is closed.

This trailhead is the largest trailhead currently
planned and is designed to handle equestrian, bus and
personal vehicle parking.

How to get there:

From Durham and points north, go south on NC 751 to
the US 64 traffic light. Go straight through the light
go two miles to the gravel drive on the left shortly
after the Beaver Creek Bridge.

From Pittsboro, Jordan Lake and points west, go east
on US 64 to the NC 751 light. Turn right or south, go
two miles to the gravel drive on the left shortly
after the Beaver Creek Bridge.

From the South, take US 1 to the New Hill/Harris Lake
Park exit. Go north on New Hill-Holliman Road to the
intersection of Old US 1. Go straight onto New
Hill-Olive Chapel Road approximately 3 miles, crossing
the New Hope Valley RR tracks. About 0.8 miles beyond
the tracks, turn right into the gravel drive that
leads to the parking area. If you cross the Beaver
Creek Bridge you've gone too far.

The other parking area on Wimberly Road is designed
for only personal vehicle parking  because it isn't
large enough to safely accommodate equestrian
trailers. If you want to park your equestrian trailer
please go to the New Hill-Olive Chapel Road trailhead.

To access the Wimberly Road trailhead from Raleigh,
Cary or points east, take US 64 west to Jenks Road on
the right. See the Citgo convenience store at this
intersection. Go 1/3 mile (mileage is approximate) to
the first left. Turn left onto Wimberly Road. Go
approximately 1 mile passing the Cary-Apex Water
Treatment plant, and crossing the White Oak Creek
Bridge. The trailhead is located on the right.

From Durham and points north, go south on NC 751 to
the US 64 traffic light. Turn left onto US 64. Go
approximately two miles to Jenks Road on the left. See
Citgo convenience store. Follow above directions.

From Pittsboro and points west, go east on US 64 to
the NC 751 light. Go approximately 2 miles past the
light to Jenks Road on the left. See Citgo convenience
store. Follow above directions to trailhead on
Wimberly Road.

Please do not access the trail by parking on Goodwin
Road or Olive Chapel Road. The Goodwin Road crossing
is in a neighborhood and the trail is adjacent to a
driveway used by several families. If you park on the
driveway or the trail, you will be towed, as well as
make a lot of people unhappy. Olive Chapel Road is a
heavily traveled, fairly high speed, narrow road where
there is no formal parking area. It is hazardous to
get in and out of your vehicle here alongside the
road. Please use the above mentioned parking areas
which are conveniently located, safe and dedicated to
trail use.

REGIONAL GREENWAYS UPDATE

Mountains-to-Sea Trail

MST - Blue Ridge Parkway.  The National Park Service
is in the final stages of approving the
Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Blowing Rock (US Highway
321 to NC Highway 18) - a total of about 55 miles.
The flag line has been up and studied for quite some
time now.  The National Park Service is now conducting
an archaeology study on this 55-mile segment and
should be the final study before trail building can
commence.  They have asked for volunteers to assist in
this archaeology study from October 6-17.  This is a
great opportunity to learn and have a hands-on
experience working with these professionals.  If
interested, please contact Wendell Burton at (336)
765-5003 or at (336) 766-1895 ext. 112 for details. 

For complete information on the NCMST, please go to
http://www.ncmst.org/

Triangle Greenways Council member Jeff Brewer on MST
Thru-Hike

Jeff Brewer, TGC Treasurer and devoted Friend of the
Mountains-to-Sea Trail, is engaged on a nearly 1,000
mile hike along North Carolina's Mountains to Sea
Trail from Clingmans Dome to Jockey's Ridge State
Park.  Jeff calls his journey "a dream come true since
this is NC 'Flagship' trail across the state."   You
can vicariously trek along with Jeff as he recounts
his travels via the Internet.  Go to
http://www.trailjournals.com/jeffbrewer and daydream
of your own future MST hike.  Thanks for sharing,
Jeff, and best wishes!

ABOUT THE TRIANGLE GREENWAYS COUNCIL: WHO WE ARE

*An advocacy organization: promoting greenways in the
Triangle; organizing regional conferences; raising
awareness; increasing networking; building a
pro-greenway constituency.

*An informational clearinghouse: a single source of
information about every greenway project and program
affecting our region; providing 'trail alerts' about
important trails and greenways issues coming before
local town boards, city councils, and county
commissions; mapping the network of regional trails
and greenways; sharing resources among the region's
trails, greenways, and parks advocacy groups.

*A land trust: accepting donations of important
greenway corridors; building a fund to purchase
critical open space; maintaining and constructing
trails within the region.

QUOTE

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows
into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness
into you... while cares will drop off like autumn
leaves."  - John Muir

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The Triangle Greenways Council E-Newsletter is a
bi-monthly publication of the Triangle Greenways
Council, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Donald
R. Belk, editor. The views expressed herein may not
reflect those of the organization, its members, or its
board of directors. If you wish to subscribe or
unsubscribe to this newsletter, or to make comments to
the editor, please send a message to
trianglegreenways@yahoo.com.

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