Celebrating the Greenways

The Capital Area Greenway System is celebrating five decades of connecting communities, supporting recreation, and enhancing quality of life across Raleigh. It all began in the 1970s as a response to rapid urban growth and frequent local flooding along major waterways like Crabtree Creek. North Carolina State University graduate student William L. Flournoy Jr. presented a plan that would utilize flood prone areas, outlining a public trail network along local creeks. The design aimed to manage stormwater runoff, protect sensitive floodplains, and preserve crucial wildlife corridors. Marking its 50th anniversary, the system spans over 117 miles of paved, multi-use trails across more than 3,800 protected acres

Each of the works in this exhibition is inspired by the Greenways and the time these artists have spent on the trails. This exhibition aims to bring attention to the importance of retaining and maintaining the Greenway System and vibrant network of public trails and open spaces.

~Stacy Bloom Rexrode, Curator