We received notice from Charlie Peek, NC Parks' Public Information Officer, and Jean Spooner, Umstead Coalition, regarding NC Parks' decision on Graylyn. It can be found at http://ncparks.gov/News/releases/release.php?id=162 or you can read it below.
William B. Umstead State Park to Improve Sycamore Creek Trail Access
EDITORS: (View / download Map of proposed improvements.)
RALEIGH -- William B. Umstead State Park will expand and improve access to the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead and multi-use trails in accordance with its general management plan and will explore ways to improve access to the park’s U.S. 70 entrance, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
The state parks system dropped consideration of a third vehicle park entrance and parking area in the Graylyn Drive/Ebenezer Church Road area. That alternative had been proposed in response to concerns from park users about restrictions on parking near the Graylyn Drive pedestrian entrance.
The park maintains vehicle entrances and primary parking areas off U.S. 70 and at Harrison Avenue near Interstate 40.
“Our overriding philosophy must be to minimize the development footprint at Umstead as one way to protect the wild and natural landscape of this state park,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the division.
State parks system planners determined that a third park entrance for vehicles would raise security issues, increase traffic in adjacent neighborhoods, invite unauthorized, after-hours entry into the park and threaten natural areas with pressure to enlarge the entrance in the future.
In recent years, demand for access to multi-use trails on the park’s eastern side has increased dramatically. The park will widen and improve an existing road to the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead from the U.S. 70 entrance. Equestrian and day-use parking at the trailhead will be separated and enlarged, and a new multi-use trail segment will connect the parking areas to the existing trails system.
The park’s general management plan calls for the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead to eventually become an expanded day-use area.
Late in 2008, the park began opening the U.S. 70 entrance one hour earlier at 7 a.m. to provide better trail access and has begun design of an expanded parking area at the visitor center. To address general access issues, park administrators will explore the possibility of a stoplight at the U.S. 70 entrance or a new access road from an existing stoplight, and will request a sidewalk be installed on Ebenezer Church Road for safer pedestrian access. The park will also work closely with the city of Raleigh to improve greenway connections to the park.
Public comment on three proposed access alternatives was invited in 2008, and 249 responses were useful in determining park visitor priorities. An alternative proposing a parking area on or near Graylyn Drive proved to be the most controversial, receiving both the greatest number of positive comments and the greatest number of objections. The other alternatives were to follow the recommendations of the general management plan and to leave existing access and facilities in place.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Request for action for Old Reedy Creek Rd
We received the following e-mail from Sig Hutchison regarding actions needed on Old Reedy Creek Rd. requesting that we distribute. Please read it carefully. We encourage supporters (not just Cary residents) to contact candidates and current elected officials to let them know how you feel about the need for continued peripheral parking access. (If you aren't familiar with Sig's work and would like to read his bio, please see www.sighutchinson.com) :
*******Action Alert for Cary Citizens********
Please distribute
Issue: Parking at Old Reedy Creek Rd.
There are a lot of people currently parking on Old Reedy Creek Rd. to access Rocky Rd. , Umstead Park , the Black Creek Greenway and Lake Crabtree . The NCDOT plans to pave that road at some point in the future of which the plans are to prohibit parking along the side of the road once it is paved like they have done at Reedy Creek Rd. on the other side of Umstead State Park heading towards the NC Museum of Art. There is a solution. There is some land next to lake Crabtree that is owned by the Town of Cary that would be perfect for a parking lot. Wake County and the manager of Lake Crabtree have expressed an interest in partnering and helping manage the facility once open and NCDOT has agreed to use their equipment to grade and pave the parking area when they are paving Old Reedy Creek Rd. The issue before us is getting all the agreements in place for the area to be turned into a parking lot during the paving process and it will take some capital from the Town of Cary even though it’s not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.
The problem is that money is tight and there are a lot of competing interests for funds and if we don’t speak up and let elected officials of Cary know that this parking lot is important, we could find ourselves with no place to park once Old Reedy Creek Rd. is paved. For this reason, it is important if you live in Cary to contact your candidates and elected officials by conversation or by mail and let them know that you use the area and would like them to consider paving the lot next to Lake Crabtree when NCDOT paves Old Reedy Creek Rd. That’s it. Attending a “meet and greet” event or donating a small amount to campaigns are always good and between now and the election, they are all very interested in getting to know their citizens and learning what they want. In fact, there is a Cary Candidate Forum next Wednesday, Sept. 23rd sponsored by WakeUp Wake County for the Cary races at 7:00 at the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, 200 High meadow Dr. Cary, NC. http://wakeupwakecounty.com/cms Be courteous, respectful and always appreciate them for their service or for running for office, but the secret to politics is being in the right place at the right time saying the right thing to the right person. Miss one of those, and you can be out of luck and now is the time as candidates are listening. Here is a list of the Cary Candidates and any google can find their websites. http://msweb03.co.wake.nc.us/bordelec/downloads/0MainPage/20091006Candidates.pdf
More information about voting in general can be found at the Board of Elections website: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/default.htm
Also, as a personal note, Lois Nixon who is running for School Board in Cary is and awesome candidate! http://loisnixon.com I have known Lois for years, personally endorse her as a candidate and know she will be an excellent Wake County School Board member.
Now’s the time for action. Let’s step up and make it happen for better access to Umstead as well as the surrounding recreational facilities now that the time is right.
Respectfully Submitted:
Sig Hutchinson
on-Umstead Parking-on,
Just Greg
*******Action Alert for Cary Citizens********
Please distribute
Issue: Parking at Old Reedy Creek Rd.
There are a lot of people currently parking on Old Reedy Creek Rd. to access Rocky Rd. , Umstead Park , the Black Creek Greenway and Lake Crabtree . The NCDOT plans to pave that road at some point in the future of which the plans are to prohibit parking along the side of the road once it is paved like they have done at Reedy Creek Rd. on the other side of Umstead State Park heading towards the NC Museum of Art. There is a solution. There is some land next to lake Crabtree that is owned by the Town of Cary that would be perfect for a parking lot. Wake County and the manager of Lake Crabtree have expressed an interest in partnering and helping manage the facility once open and NCDOT has agreed to use their equipment to grade and pave the parking area when they are paving Old Reedy Creek Rd. The issue before us is getting all the agreements in place for the area to be turned into a parking lot during the paving process and it will take some capital from the Town of Cary even though it’s not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.
The problem is that money is tight and there are a lot of competing interests for funds and if we don’t speak up and let elected officials of Cary know that this parking lot is important, we could find ourselves with no place to park once Old Reedy Creek Rd. is paved. For this reason, it is important if you live in Cary to contact your candidates and elected officials by conversation or by mail and let them know that you use the area and would like them to consider paving the lot next to Lake Crabtree when NCDOT paves Old Reedy Creek Rd. That’s it. Attending a “meet and greet” event or donating a small amount to campaigns are always good and between now and the election, they are all very interested in getting to know their citizens and learning what they want. In fact, there is a Cary Candidate Forum next Wednesday, Sept. 23rd sponsored by WakeUp Wake County for the Cary races at 7:00 at the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, 200 High meadow Dr. Cary, NC. http://wakeupwakecounty.com/cms Be courteous, respectful and always appreciate them for their service or for running for office, but the secret to politics is being in the right place at the right time saying the right thing to the right person. Miss one of those, and you can be out of luck and now is the time as candidates are listening. Here is a list of the Cary Candidates and any google can find their websites. http://msweb03.co.wake.nc.us/bordelec/downloads/0MainPage/20091006Candidates.pdf
More information about voting in general can be found at the Board of Elections website: http://www.wakegov.com/elections/default.htm
Also, as a personal note, Lois Nixon who is running for School Board in Cary is and awesome candidate! http://loisnixon.com I have known Lois for years, personally endorse her as a candidate and know she will be an excellent Wake County School Board member.
Now’s the time for action. Let’s step up and make it happen for better access to Umstead as well as the surrounding recreational facilities now that the time is right.
Respectfully Submitted:
Sig Hutchinson
on-Umstead Parking-on,
Just Greg
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Graylyn "update"
Paul attended the Umstead PAC meeting on 9/9/09 and provided the following information shared at the meeting:
Don Reuter, assistant director of NC Parks, had asked Scott Letchworth, superintendent of Umstead, to pass along the following info on the Graylyn access alternatives: Continued patience has been appreciated and the issue has not been forgotten. They expect to have some news at the next PAC meeting in November.
Don Reuter, assistant director of NC Parks, had asked Scott Letchworth, superintendent of Umstead, to pass along the following info on the Graylyn access alternatives: Continued patience has been appreciated and the issue has not been forgotten. They expect to have some news at the next PAC meeting in November.
Heads up
FYI: We received information yesterday about new No Parking signs posted at the Harrison Ave entrance to Umstead. A runner returning to his car was informed by a Wake County law enforcement officer that warnings would be given initially but that tickets would be issued at some point. The runner indicated that the signs were closer to I40 than the gate at Umstead.
Clarification on No Parking signs at Harrison, 9/15/09: Upon checking further, we are not sure whether the No Parking signs are new but the enforcement may be new. Truck drivers utilizing the quarry expressed concerns about the number of cars parked during their operating hours creating safety hazards.
Clarification on No Parking signs at Harrison, 9/15/09: Upon checking further, we are not sure whether the No Parking signs are new but the enforcement may be new. Truck drivers utilizing the quarry expressed concerns about the number of cars parked during their operating hours creating safety hazards.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
As promised
As promised, Rep. Weiss met with individuals from NC Parks 7/20/09 and provided the following update with us regarding the Graylyn alternatives:
Dear Margaret:
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Lewis Ledford, Elizabeth Biser, Carol Tingley and employees from Umstead State Park and I was informed that DENR/ NC Parks is very close to announcing their decision about what course to take with respect to increased access to Umstead State Park. They should be publicizing their decision and their timetable for future steps very soon. I encouraged them to continue collaborating with NC DOT and the City of Raleigh and Town of Cary regarding access issues.
In addition, they did mention that they are continuing to pursue discussions about potential parking in the area near Reedy Creek/Trenton Roads.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Weiss, NC House 35
Dear Margaret:
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Lewis Ledford, Elizabeth Biser, Carol Tingley and employees from Umstead State Park and I was informed that DENR/ NC Parks is very close to announcing their decision about what course to take with respect to increased access to Umstead State Park. They should be publicizing their decision and their timetable for future steps very soon. I encouraged them to continue collaborating with NC DOT and the City of Raleigh and Town of Cary regarding access issues.
In addition, they did mention that they are continuing to pursue discussions about potential parking in the area near Reedy Creek/Trenton Roads.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Weiss, NC House 35
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Opportunity to talk with city council members
We received the information below from Rodger Koopman regarding an upcoming opportunity to talk with him and Russ Stephenson. Both gentlemen are current city council members who serve on the Public Works Committee and up for re-election in the fall. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet them and find out their views--and share yours. We believe resolution of the parking access issue at Reedy Creek/Trenton and at Graylyn will require the city and state working together to remove unnecessary obstacles and take action. Thus far, we have had several conversations with Mr Stephenson and have been impressed with his proactive efforts to find a solution at Reedy Creek/Trenton.
Raleigh City Council Elections are non-partisan, so voters from ALL parties are invited!Please join us for a little "R&R" (Russ Stephenson and Rodger Koopman) at Durant Nature Park. Come and meet two Raleigh City Councilors who are up for re-election this Fall. Learn about the issues facing Raleigh and the importance of your involvement in this election on OCTOBER 6th!! And enjoy a fun day in the park with other activities. Summer beverages and snacks will be served. When you pull in the parking lot look for the red, white and blue balloons. Children are not only allowed, but encouraged!More information is available at this link: Link to Event for Russ and Rodger
Time: Saturday, July 11 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Host: Vickie Takei
Location:Durant Nature Park (Raleigh, NC)8305 Camp Durant Rd.Raleigh, NC 27615 Respectfully,
Rodger KoopmanCouncilor District B
Raleigh City Council Elections are non-partisan, so voters from ALL parties are invited!Please join us for a little "R&R" (Russ Stephenson and Rodger Koopman) at Durant Nature Park. Come and meet two Raleigh City Councilors who are up for re-election this Fall. Learn about the issues facing Raleigh and the importance of your involvement in this election on OCTOBER 6th!! And enjoy a fun day in the park with other activities. Summer beverages and snacks will be served. When you pull in the parking lot look for the red, white and blue balloons. Children are not only allowed, but encouraged!More information is available at this link: Link to Event for Russ and Rodger
Time: Saturday, July 11 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Host: Vickie Takei
Location:Durant Nature Park (Raleigh, NC)8305 Camp Durant Rd.Raleigh, NC 27615 Respectfully,
Rodger KoopmanCouncilor District B
Monday, June 29, 2009
Graylyn
We do not have anything of substance to report on Graylyn but wanted you to be aware of actions taken.
On 5/13/09, Paul received word from Don Reuter, asst director of NC Parks, that pressing budget issues have further delayed the Graylyn alternatives. We subsequently e-mailed Rep. Weiss to see if she could help as she had been very helpful thus far. We expressed concerns about the lack of progresson this issue. We noted we were cognizant of the budget issues but were questioning whether everything possible was being done toward resolution and asked for consideration of the less costly options that were previously suggested to NC Parks. Rep Weiss stated she would check with DENR and recontact us when she had additional information. We recontacted her 6/23 for status and were told she had contacted DENR for followup. She recontacted us 6/26 to let us know she hoped to meet with DENR soon.
We will post as soon as we hear. Again, we encourage everyone to feel free to contact Rep. Weiss, other city and state representatives and the folks at NC Parks to let them know this issue is still of great importance.
On 5/13/09, Paul received word from Don Reuter, asst director of NC Parks, that pressing budget issues have further delayed the Graylyn alternatives. We subsequently e-mailed Rep. Weiss to see if she could help as she had been very helpful thus far. We expressed concerns about the lack of progresson this issue. We noted we were cognizant of the budget issues but were questioning whether everything possible was being done toward resolution and asked for consideration of the less costly options that were previously suggested to NC Parks. Rep Weiss stated she would check with DENR and recontact us when she had additional information. We recontacted her 6/23 for status and were told she had contacted DENR for followup. She recontacted us 6/26 to let us know she hoped to meet with DENR soon.
We will post as soon as we hear. Again, we encourage everyone to feel free to contact Rep. Weiss, other city and state representatives and the folks at NC Parks to let them know this issue is still of great importance.
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