Goal of the Strollway
The Chavis-Dix Strollway celebrates Raleigh’s cultural heritage and connects neighborhoods on the southeast and southwest sides of the city. This safe, walkable, pedestrian-focused cultural trail will connect downtown to two heritage parks with interpretive signage, placemaking, partnerships, and community activities.

Community Benefit
This project will serve both residents, businesses, and visitors. Connecting major parks to downtown, it will improve access to open spaces and fill a gap in Raleigh’s greenway and multimodal network. Like the SPHT, the community sees this cultural trail as a priority because it links places important to Raleigh’s cultural history and growth.

It will highlight the Historic Fourth Ward and, through its connection to the SPHT, also support the South Park neighborhood.  This cultural trail will also connect all the following cultural locations throughout downtown Raleigh:

• Shaw University
• The downtown core
• Black-owned businesses
• Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center
• Red Hat Amphitheatre
• Affordable housing communities like Heritage Park
• Emerging retail hubs
• Areas of new development.

Connection to the Dix Park Master Plan
The idea for this trail emerged from the 2020 Dix Park Master Plan. The city is investing heavily in both John Chavis Memorial Park and Dorothea Dix Park, reflecting a commitment to welcoming, equitable public spaces.

Past Community Engagement 
Early public engagement began in 2021 and will continue as the project progresses. 

• 2015: An east-west connection was identified in the 2015 Downtown Plan. 
• October 2021: “Stroll in the Streets” community event
• September 2022: Public sessions on route options
• October 2022: Information shared during Community Planning Month
• April 2024: Saturday on South Block Party updates
• September 2024: Outreach at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Funding
In 2022, Raleigh received $3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support the SPHT and the Chavis-Dix Strollway. This funding was secured with the help of Congresswoman Deborah Ross.  Currently, $1.5 million of federal grant money is the only available funding for this project.

Design Consultants Hired 

City Council approved a contract with Design Workshop, Inc. to lead the planning and design process for the Strollway project. Design Workshop, Inc. is the team leading the design process for the South Park Heritage Trail. In January 2026, the Council approved Design Workshop, Inc. to provide similar services for this project through an amendment to their existing contract. 

The scope of work includes:

• Creating a concept plan
• Preparing schematic design work for a pilot area
• Piloting a section of the cultural trail through construction

The Concept Plan is expected to be completed by August 2026, with design, bidding, and construction to follow.