Read This- Very Important!!

A few weeks ago the Access Umstead Committee contacted Rep Jennifer Weiss about the parking and access issues surrounding Umstead Park. She replied that a meeting had been held with DENR and DOT to discuss our petition and that these State Depts had been actioned to come up with a plan to address the situation. We did not hear anything more until last week when we contacted Rep Weiss via email and requested an update. Below is her reply:

Set forth below are communications I have received from NCDENR and DOT in response to our meeting. I have asked for a progress report from DENR and DOT. I hope this information is helpful.

The Division of Parks and Recreation is developing a strategy for identifying additional access options, increasing opportunities for public use and addressing transportation and park management issues.

Our first step will be to work cooperatively with the city of Raleigh and the Department of Transportation to develop recommendations regarding oversight and responsibility for Graylyn Drive, safety concerns and potential improvements for Ebenezer Church Road, park access at the park entrance on N.C. 70 and public transportation in the area. Additionally we will seek to find a cooperative resolution to access and parking issues related to the Old Reedy Creek Road area with DOT, and the city of Cary.

Once alternatives and proposals have been identified, we will engage the Umstead Coalition and the William B. Umstead State Park Advisory Committee in a thorough evaluation of the options. Upon completion of that review, we will post the alternatives and proposals on the division Web site and request public comments. A copy of the plan will also be made available in the park office. Information about the process and where to send comments will be posted at park access areas. After completion of the public comment period we will update our general management plan for the park and will continue to work with the city and DOT to implement the selected plan as quickly as possible. Our goal is to complete the GMP revision by the beginning of April.

As follow up to our meeting on Umstead Park access, the Dept. of Transportation will take the following actions.

-- Notify the Umstead Park superintendant before doing work on roads that lead up to the park.

-- Conduct a speed study on Ebenezer Church Rd. to see if there is a need to reduce the speed limit.

-- Look at the cost and feasibility of putting a sidewalk along part of Ebenezer Church Rd. on the other side of the ditch away from the road.

-- Coordinate with the Town of Cary on paving Old Reedy Creek Rd., with the intention of delaying that paving until the town establishes a parking lot on that road.

-- Have the bicycle and pedestrian program review the request to include a wide bike/ped lane or a separated bike/ped path when Old Reedy Creek Rd. is paved, including funding options and right of way needs for the extension of the Black Creek Greenway from I-40 to Umstead Park.

In addition, DOT staff contacted the City of Raleigh to inform them of the request to restrict trucks on Ebenezer Church Road.

The city staff person responded that the road is a "no truck"
route and the city will look into the matter.

DOT will continue to work with state parks on these issues, and I will keep you updated on the results of our activities.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Weiss, NC House 35

PLEASE NOTE THAT DOT IS IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING ACCESS OPTIONS AND AFTER THIS WILL POST THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THEIR WEBSITE AND AT THE UMSTEAD PARK OFFICE. IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY. MOST LIKELY IT WILL BE YOUR BEST AND POSSIBLY LAST CHANCE TO INFLUENCE DOT AND THE PARK.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE COMMENT PERIOD WILL CLOSED BY THE BEGINNING OF APRIL. THIS IS NOT MUCH TIME. HERE IS THE WEB ADDRESS OF DOT: http://www.ncdot.org/. PLEASE VISIT THIS SITE FREQUENTLY. AS SOON AS WE KNOW THAT THE PLAN HAS BEEN POSTED WE WILL POST THAT INFORMATION HERE.

WE HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE SOME INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO VIEW ALLOWING PARKING ON GRAYLYN AND TO A DEGREE OPENING ACCESS TO UMSTEAD PARK QUITE NEGATIVELY. WE MUST RESPOND TO DOT'S RECOMMENDATIONS IN AN OVERWHELMING FASHION!!

Thank you Rep. Weiss for your help.

Thank you petitioners for your continuing support.