History

The Capital Area Greenway System was first adopted by City Council in 1976. This plan proposed a system of linear parks located primarily along rivers, streams, and creeks, and included the opportunity for an interconnected system of pedestrian trails across the region. The existing Crabtree Creek Trail extends from Lindsay Drive, east of Duraleigh Road to the Neuse River Trail.

Overview

The Crabtree Creek West Trail project is funded by the 2014 Parks Bond Referendum, federal transportation funding through CAMPO’s Locally Administered Project program (LAPP), and Wake County Open Space Grant.

This project is important both locally and regionally. This is the last remaining incomplete major segment of the three main greenway corridors included in the Capital Area Greenway System - the Neuse River, Crabtree Creek, and Walnut Creek. Crabtree Creek has been identified in the System Plan as a Cross-City Connector, emphasizing its importance locally. 

From a regional perspective, the completion of the Crabtree Creek West Trail project will connect the Neuse River Trail, on the eastern side of Wake County, to the American Tobacco Trail, on the western side of Wake County. By completing this trail, and the White Oak Creek Trail in Cary/Apex, residents and visitors will be able to travel across Wake County, from north to south on the American Tobacco Trail or the Neuse River Trail, or east to west between the two trails on the Crabtree Creek Trail and White Oak Creek Trail. The project scope includes a 12-foot wide trail facility, five pedestrian bridges, and signage. 

Primary stakeholders include NC State Parks (William B. Umstead State Park), Hanson Aggregates Southwest, and the adjacent communities of Oak Park, Laurel Hills, and the Hamptons at Umstead. Public participation for this project took place between November 2015 and March 2016. Two public meetings were held where community members were invited to review plans, ask questions, and provide comments.  The project's proposed alignment and parking locations were also presented to the Parks, Recreation and Greenways Advisory Board (PRGAB) where members of the public were able to express questions, concerns, and support for and about the project recommendations.