The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved a new lease for mountain biking trails near Umstead State Park and authorized a construction contract for Kellam-Wyatt County Park during their yesterday's meeting.
The county approved a lease with the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation to use about 252 acres of William B. Umstead State Park for mountain biking and other activities. Board Chair Susan Evans said in the statement, "These two projects represent Wake County’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to high-quality parks, trails and open spaces." The lease costs just $1 a year and will be paid from the county’s current budget. The next steps are to create construction plans and start building the trails, according to a recent Wake County announcement.
Near the Raleigh–Knightdale border, a new park is planned on 59 acres of land donated by the Kellam-Wyatt family in 2018 to preserve its agricultural and natural heritage. The Board approved a $9.49 million construction contract with TCC Enterprises, Inc. to build Kellam-Wyatt County Park. The park will include community and demonstration gardens, walking trails, and the renovation of the existing farmhouse into a park center.
Scheduled for completion by winter 2027, the park is funded by the 2018 Parks, Greenways, Recreation, and Open Space bond. It will include a nature playground, native plantings, and spaces for educational and recreational programs. The land will be protected by a conservation easement managed by the City of Oaks Foundation. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
