We met with Mayor Meeker and Vic Lebsock, the city greenway planner, on June 4. We discussed the decreased number of safe, convenient access points in Raleigh for Umstead State Park users and the significant, detrimental impact it has made on the community of park users being unable to enjoy the park as frequently or not at all.
Mr Meeker was supportive and pledged involvement of the City of Raleigh in finding a solution.
We shared some of our ideas with Mr Lebsock who has a meeting next week with NC Parks and Recreation to discuss Umstead access issues. Mr Lebsock will be keeping us informed.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Meeting with Wake County Delegates
We met with 13 members of the NC delegates representing Wake County(to include our senators and house representatives) to discuss our concerns and ask for their help. We want to especially thank Rep. Jennifer Weiss who has been very responsive to our concerns to date and notified us of this meeting. After this meeting, Ty Harrell has asked that we recontact him--which we will do. Stay tuned.
Please see below for the essence of the information we presented at the meeting:
After parking was eliminated from the Reedy Creek Road and Graylyn entrances to Umstead State Park, we have had constant conversations with the community of fellow park users (runners, hikers, mountain bikers, neighbor, families and dog walkers) regarding concerns about the loss of safe, convenient parking and access to the park. Access Umstead, a group of 5 concerned individuals, was formed in late 2007 to provide a forum for our numerous supporters to voice their concerns. We created the Access Umstead petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/609803273 with the goal of the organizers representing these voices (that now exceed 1450 people) to leaders who can make a difference.
The problem:
The “official” entrances to the park were established many years ago when Umstead was surrounded by rural area. The demographics of the area and park users has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. Did you know that Umstead was featured in the national Runner’s World magazine as a scenic place to run that someone should not miss? The growing active community represents an affluent, highly educated set.
With the paving of the roads and elimination of parking, Raleigh’s parking and access was reduced from three safe, convenient accesses to just two. One of these areas requires users to park near the NC Art Museum; cross Blue Ridge Road (not pedestrian friendly) and then walk or bike more than two miles to get to the park gate. The only remaining access with parking in Raleigh is approximately 7 miles away, off of an already congested and not pedestrian friendly, Glenwood Ave/Hwy 70, and requiring additional driving once users enter the park to actually get to a parking area. We continue to speak with our supporters of over 1450 runners, mountain bikers, hikers, families, neighbors and dog walkers that have either been unable to enjoy Umstead State Park at all or not as frequently due to the extra time involved.
Fortunately, our voices were heard regarding an access in Cary slated to have road paving. In this case, NCDOT agreed to delay paving until the City of Cary worked out a solution for parking.
The solution:
Our group is working diligently to reclaim these entrances or others offering safe and convenient access to ensure that Umstead State Park remains a safe and easily accessible public resource to all citizens in the future. We need your help to get all of the state agencies involved working together to develop a plan to resolve this problem quickly or at least in a timely manner.
Please see below for the essence of the information we presented at the meeting:
After parking was eliminated from the Reedy Creek Road and Graylyn entrances to Umstead State Park, we have had constant conversations with the community of fellow park users (runners, hikers, mountain bikers, neighbor, families and dog walkers) regarding concerns about the loss of safe, convenient parking and access to the park. Access Umstead, a group of 5 concerned individuals, was formed in late 2007 to provide a forum for our numerous supporters to voice their concerns. We created the Access Umstead petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/609803273 with the goal of the organizers representing these voices (that now exceed 1450 people) to leaders who can make a difference.
The problem:
The “official” entrances to the park were established many years ago when Umstead was surrounded by rural area. The demographics of the area and park users has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. Did you know that Umstead was featured in the national Runner’s World magazine as a scenic place to run that someone should not miss? The growing active community represents an affluent, highly educated set.
With the paving of the roads and elimination of parking, Raleigh’s parking and access was reduced from three safe, convenient accesses to just two. One of these areas requires users to park near the NC Art Museum; cross Blue Ridge Road (not pedestrian friendly) and then walk or bike more than two miles to get to the park gate. The only remaining access with parking in Raleigh is approximately 7 miles away, off of an already congested and not pedestrian friendly, Glenwood Ave/Hwy 70, and requiring additional driving once users enter the park to actually get to a parking area. We continue to speak with our supporters of over 1450 runners, mountain bikers, hikers, families, neighbors and dog walkers that have either been unable to enjoy Umstead State Park at all or not as frequently due to the extra time involved.
Fortunately, our voices were heard regarding an access in Cary slated to have road paving. In this case, NCDOT agreed to delay paving until the City of Cary worked out a solution for parking.
The solution:
Our group is working diligently to reclaim these entrances or others offering safe and convenient access to ensure that Umstead State Park remains a safe and easily accessible public resource to all citizens in the future. We need your help to get all of the state agencies involved working together to develop a plan to resolve this problem quickly or at least in a timely manner.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
We wanted to share some recent communications that we have addressed to the Umstead Park superintendant, Scott Letchworth and the Umstead Park Advisory Committee (PAC) via e-mail. Please see the communication italicized below. The PAC is comprised of volunteers with various interests-- to include law enforcement, an adjacent business, mountain biking, equestrian, conservation, Raleigh city parks and recreation, and a neighbor.
We have been attending the PAC meetings regularly and recently presented a powerpoint with different options to restore parking access to Graylyn. Options included: a well-marked, paved parking area alongside Graylyn Road (same area as was used before); moving the current gate on Graylyn further into to park to allow parking alongside the road (to keep it on park property but increases the number of spaces); create a parking area on park property in between the two ranger homes on Graylyn (again, keeping it on parking property but increasing the number of spaces).
We are continuing to meet and communicate with other elected officials to get the various agencies to work together to allow us safe, convenient and increased access.
Dear PAC Members,
Following the last PAC meeting, we sent the following e-mail to Scott and asked him to forward it to each of you. We later found out that he had a family emergency so we were unsure whether he had been able to follow up on our request. We wanted to make sure you received it. Please let us know if you were not at the last meeting and would like to receive a hard copy of our presentation.
We hope you understand that we are not representing solely our personal views but the views of more than 1400 runners, cyclists, families and dog-walkers that are unfortunately unable to access the park as frequently as they once did due to the declining or less convenient access points.
Access Umstead
Scott,
We would like to thank you and the members of the Park Advisory Committee for the opportunity to share our ideas for potential solutions to restoring parking at Graylyn Drive . We would be happy to meet with anyone individually or as a group to further discuss this issue.
The declining number of access points to Umstead State Park certainly created a public outcry and was the sole impetus for the formation of our group. For more information on the strong local community opinion and our efforts, please see the petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/609803273 and our blog at accessumstead.blogspot.com.
Please note, we limited our discussion to Graylyn Drive based on information obtained from prior meetings with DOT, Parks and Recreation and PAC meetings that the Old Reedy Creek Road access would be resolved with the Town of Cary’s efforts to provide parking and that there was potential parking for the Reedy Creek Road access with property currently owned by Beazer Homes. However, we are still committed to all three goals.
Please share this e-mail with the members of the PAC, particularly to those who were unable to attend last night. Thank you.
Access Umstead
Margaret Cooper
Carlton Cooper
Paul Fisher
Ed Hallberg
Dwayne Allen
We have been attending the PAC meetings regularly and recently presented a powerpoint with different options to restore parking access to Graylyn. Options included: a well-marked, paved parking area alongside Graylyn Road (same area as was used before); moving the current gate on Graylyn further into to park to allow parking alongside the road (to keep it on park property but increases the number of spaces); create a parking area on park property in between the two ranger homes on Graylyn (again, keeping it on parking property but increasing the number of spaces).
We are continuing to meet and communicate with other elected officials to get the various agencies to work together to allow us safe, convenient and increased access.
Dear PAC Members,
Following the last PAC meeting, we sent the following e-mail to Scott and asked him to forward it to each of you. We later found out that he had a family emergency so we were unsure whether he had been able to follow up on our request. We wanted to make sure you received it. Please let us know if you were not at the last meeting and would like to receive a hard copy of our presentation.
We hope you understand that we are not representing solely our personal views but the views of more than 1400 runners, cyclists, families and dog-walkers that are unfortunately unable to access the park as frequently as they once did due to the declining or less convenient access points.
Access Umstead
Scott,
We would like to thank you and the members of the Park Advisory Committee for the opportunity to share our ideas for potential solutions to restoring parking at Graylyn Drive . We would be happy to meet with anyone individually or as a group to further discuss this issue.
The declining number of access points to Umstead State Park certainly created a public outcry and was the sole impetus for the formation of our group. For more information on the strong local community opinion and our efforts, please see the petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/609803273 and our blog at accessumstead.blogspot.com.
Please note, we limited our discussion to Graylyn Drive based on information obtained from prior meetings with DOT, Parks and Recreation and PAC meetings that the Old Reedy Creek Road access would be resolved with the Town of Cary’s efforts to provide parking and that there was potential parking for the Reedy Creek Road access with property currently owned by Beazer Homes. However, we are still committed to all three goals.
Please share this e-mail with the members of the PAC, particularly to those who were unable to attend last night. Thank you.
Access Umstead
Margaret Cooper
Carlton Cooper
Paul Fisher
Ed Hallberg
Dwayne Allen
Further delay on the Umstead General Management Plan
As stated in the previous posting of 4/13, the NC Parks and Recreation General Management Plan for Umstead Park was delayed for an unknown period. We were recently informed by Don Reuter of NC Parks and Recreation that the delay was due to the retirement of the planner in charge of the process. They hope to have a replacement in a few weeks and expect that the Umstead General Management Plan will be one of the first issues addressed. Mr Reuter will provide us with this individual’s contact info.
Please keep checking our blog (accessumstead.blogspot.com) as we will let you know the specific link for public comment on the General Management Plan. We were told by Mr Reuter that it will also be on the ncparks.gov website and that it can also be found under their “News” page under press releases.
Currently, we continue to rely on “word of mouth” to share updates so please continue to share our e-mails and blog information with others that you think are interested. If you would like to be added to our e-mail list for updates, please e-mail us at access_umstead@yahoo.com.
Please keep checking our blog (accessumstead.blogspot.com) as we will let you know the specific link for public comment on the General Management Plan. We were told by Mr Reuter that it will also be on the ncparks.gov website and that it can also be found under their “News” page under press releases.
Currently, we continue to rely on “word of mouth” to share updates so please continue to share our e-mails and blog information with others that you think are interested. If you would like to be added to our e-mail list for updates, please e-mail us at access_umstead@yahoo.com.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Good news but our work is not yet done...
We have just had a productive meeting addressing some of our concerns and questions with Representative Jennifer Weiss and various individuals to include representatives from the NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, NC Department of Parks and Recreation (NC Parks and Rec), NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and NC General Assembly.
It is important to note that our concerns voiced via the petition are being heard and do make a difference. We have been told that your voices from the petition have facilitated new communication between the various governmental agencies to work together toward solutions. All parties are being responsive and have been working hard behind the scenes. Knowing that public opinion matters, it is critical to know that our work is not done.
The good news is that NCDOT confirmed that paving of Old Reedy Creek Road is deferred pending coordination with the Town of Cary’s efforts to have parking at this location. We applaud Cary’s proactive efforts to preserve this popular vehicular access point to meet the needs of the growing active community. We also learned that NCDOT has responded to safety concerns along Ebenezer Church Road. There will be a reduction in the speed limit along certain stretches, less trucks and possibly a sidewalk—all of these actions making this more friendly to bikers, pedestrians and neighbors. We also understand that good new may be forthcoming with regards to Reedy Creek Road.
Unfortunately, Graylyn Drive is another story and where much work remains to be done… We also learned that NCDOT had contacted the City of Raleigh to see if they would be interested in providing patrol/law enforcement services to the small section of Graylyn if parking remained along the side of the road. To do this would require annexation (unlikely) or a special agreement that the City of Raleigh declined.
As stated in a previous posting, the NC Parks and Recreation General Management Plan for Umstead would be posted for public comment by 4/1/08. This public comment process will allow for your input on providing for some type of parking at the Graylyn Drive access. However, we have learned that this has been delayed for an unknown period. Please keep checking our blog as we will let you know the specific link. We do know that it will be on the ncparks.gov website and that it can also be found under their “News” page under press releases.
We want to thank Rep Weiss for her proactive support of the ever-growing active community of Umstead Park users. We also appreciate the various governmental agencies who have been responsive and are working toward addressing our concerns to include the Umstead Coalition and the Umstead Park Advisory Committee.
In summary, what you can do:
Please keep checking the blog for updates on actions needed.
Voice your opinion to Scott Letchworth, the park superintendent of Umstead State Park at 919-571-4170; William Totten, current district superintendent of NC Parks and Recreation (william.totten@ncmail.net), Donald Reuter, Assistant director of Planning and Administration (don.reuter@ncmail.net)
Voice your opinion to the City of Raleigh requesting that they formally agree to provide patrol/law enforcement to the small stretch of Graylyn Drive by contacting: pisley@boyceisley.com and other city council members as well as Mayor Meeker. Please note that Mr Isley was VERY responsive to our prior requests for assistance.
It is important to note that our concerns voiced via the petition are being heard and do make a difference. We have been told that your voices from the petition have facilitated new communication between the various governmental agencies to work together toward solutions. All parties are being responsive and have been working hard behind the scenes. Knowing that public opinion matters, it is critical to know that our work is not done.
The good news is that NCDOT confirmed that paving of Old Reedy Creek Road is deferred pending coordination with the Town of Cary’s efforts to have parking at this location. We applaud Cary’s proactive efforts to preserve this popular vehicular access point to meet the needs of the growing active community. We also learned that NCDOT has responded to safety concerns along Ebenezer Church Road. There will be a reduction in the speed limit along certain stretches, less trucks and possibly a sidewalk—all of these actions making this more friendly to bikers, pedestrians and neighbors. We also understand that good new may be forthcoming with regards to Reedy Creek Road.
Unfortunately, Graylyn Drive is another story and where much work remains to be done… We also learned that NCDOT had contacted the City of Raleigh to see if they would be interested in providing patrol/law enforcement services to the small section of Graylyn if parking remained along the side of the road. To do this would require annexation (unlikely) or a special agreement that the City of Raleigh declined.
As stated in a previous posting, the NC Parks and Recreation General Management Plan for Umstead would be posted for public comment by 4/1/08. This public comment process will allow for your input on providing for some type of parking at the Graylyn Drive access. However, we have learned that this has been delayed for an unknown period. Please keep checking our blog as we will let you know the specific link. We do know that it will be on the ncparks.gov website and that it can also be found under their “News” page under press releases.
We want to thank Rep Weiss for her proactive support of the ever-growing active community of Umstead Park users. We also appreciate the various governmental agencies who have been responsive and are working toward addressing our concerns to include the Umstead Coalition and the Umstead Park Advisory Committee.
In summary, what you can do:
Please keep checking the blog for updates on actions needed.
Voice your opinion to Scott Letchworth, the park superintendent of Umstead State Park at 919-571-4170; William Totten, current district superintendent of NC Parks and Recreation (william.totten@ncmail.net), Donald Reuter, Assistant director of Planning and Administration (don.reuter@ncmail.net)
Voice your opinion to the City of Raleigh requesting that they formally agree to provide patrol/law enforcement to the small stretch of Graylyn Drive by contacting: pisley@boyceisley.com and other city council members as well as Mayor Meeker. Please note that Mr Isley was VERY responsive to our prior requests for assistance.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
correction and update
Our last blog posting had an incorrect link for you to checkand make comments for the NC Parks and Recreation General Management Plan for Umstead. We will correct this as soon as we get the most direct link.
As an update, we had several concerns and asked Representative Weiss for clarification on Mon., 3/24/08. Specifically, we were concerned about the very limited time for public comment and asked for detailed information on the public comment time frame. We also asked her to help facilitate an extension for the public comment period as we have not yet seen anything posted about it to date. We noted that the response did not include anything that specifically addressed access or parking on Graylyn and let her know we had suggested solutions. We are awaiting her reply.
As an update, we had several concerns and asked Representative Weiss for clarification on Mon., 3/24/08. Specifically, we were concerned about the very limited time for public comment and asked for detailed information on the public comment time frame. We also asked her to help facilitate an extension for the public comment period as we have not yet seen anything posted about it to date. We noted that the response did not include anything that specifically addressed access or parking on Graylyn and let her know we had suggested solutions. We are awaiting her reply.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)