Yesterday, the green light was given for a new park that promises to add more green space in Wake County. As reported by Wake County news, the County Board of Commissioners approved the schematic design for Lake Myra County Park. Chair Susan Evans expressed excitement, saying, "Lake Myra County Park has been a long time coming, and we’re excited to take a big step toward it becoming reality." The park is meant to provide a mixture of recreational activities, environmental education, and nature access, especially for those in eastern Wake County.
The history of Lake Myra County Park's development stretches back to 2003 when the site was first pinpointed in the county's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. However, despite purchasing the land in 2007 and having a master plan ready by 2009, it seemed economic hurdles were the park's fate—putting it on hold. In response to the growing population and changes in land use, a renewed master planning effort was launched in 2023, that the county now owns, though Lake Myra is still under private ownership. Wake County is currently working out an agreement with the private landowner for public access to the lake for certain activities.
The design for the park's first phase includes several amenities, such as a park center with offices and classrooms, picnic shelters, a boat launch and fishing platform on the east side of the lake, and additional picnic shelters, restrooms, and parking on the west. "Throughout the park: Paved and unpaved trails, open play areas, small boardwalks, constructed wetland, playground, disc golf course, educational displays, public art, prairie and native plantings and a major boardwalk across Lake Myra that will connect both sides of the park," reports Wake County news.
Funding for this project comes from the 2018 Parks, Greenways, Recreation and Open Space Bond. With an estimated cost of $21 million for Phase I, the park is scheduled to open in 2027. Construction and final design documents are expected next year. With the development of Lake Myra County Park, local stakeholders and townspeople of Wendell and Knightdale, who contributed their visions during the planning phase, can look forward to the 218-acre space that aims to balance recreation with education and conservation.
