Big changes are coming to some of Wake County's favorite green spots. The Wake County Board of Commissioners has recently given the thumbs-up for major upgrades to Harris Lake and Blue Jay Point county parks; this is all thanks to the 2018 Parks, Greenways, Recreation and Open Space bond – yep, those extra bucks on the ballot a few years back are finally splashing color (and concrete) into our outdoor escapes.
Those frequenters of Harris Lake County Park – nestled in the 680-acre expanse in New Hill – can expect to haul their kayaks to an all new accessible launch, park with ease at expanded parking spaces, and even find an accessible loading zone for non-motorized boats, as disclosed in a recent announcement by the Wake County. Add to that, a restroom for the disc golf and fishing pond area, not to say a spanking new picnic shelter, junior 9-hole disc golf course, and for those canoers out there, a storage structure complete with dock – and we're not even talking about the park office expansion and renovation to amp up space for staff and educational goodness, along with a new pole barn and maintenance yard jazzing up.
Meanwhile, up north in Raleigh, the Blue Jay Point County Park is set for a $6.13 million facelift. Folks can look forward to a rehabilitated habitat education pond with a newbie accessible walkway ready to hook up to the classroom for those nature-inspired learning moments. The trail and parking areas are also getting a makeover; think ADA-compliant trails and more space for your vehicle near the playing grounds and GoApe Zipline Park. But it's not just about convenience – there will be new shade structures and an expanded play zone for kids to go wild in, plus a revamped visitor center with an extra 200 square feet tagged on for better function and fun, as Wake County proudly reports.
Susan Evans, head of Wake County's Board of Commissioners, championed the initiatives and the vision behind them. "These renovations are an exciting milestone in our continued commitment to preserving natural spaces while expanding recreational opportunities for everyone," Evans stated with obvious enthusiasm for the future of the parks. Couching the sentiment of the commission and the county, she acknowledged the voters who green-lit the bond funding that's fueling these park revamps, as per the announcement by the Wake County.
