Raleigh City Council has signed off on construction of a new community gateway at the southern edge of Walnut Creek Wetland Park along Bailey Drive, finally moving the long-running project into the building phase. The entrance is set to bring a pavilion, gathering spaces, native plantings, public art and a new sidewalk that officials say will make it easier for neighbors to get into the park. Organizers say the Bailey Drive side will better connect Rochester Heights, Biltmore Hills, Fuller Elementary and Garner Road to the wetlands next door.
Construction will be led by Harrod and Associates Constructors LLC, and the city lists the project budget at about $2,000,000, with work expected to be complete by Winter 2027, according to the City of Raleigh. The council's March meeting materials show the bid was awarded to Harrod and Associates in an amount not to exceed $1,946,585 and authorize a $600,000 budget transfer to cover the work, per the City Council meeting agenda. The Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department also shared the update in a Raleigh Parks post on April 6.
What's Coming to Bailey Drive
The Bailey Drive Gateway will add a shaded pavilion, small gathering lawns, native plantings to support wetland habitat, public-art features and a sidewalk that ties the park to Fuller Elementary and Garner Road. The design and community-engagement process that shaped the project are detailed on the Bailey Drive Gateway community site, which highlights the project's focus on access, ecology and honoring neighborhood history through art and storytelling, according to the Raleigh Parks With Purpose community page.
Funding and Contract Details
Funding for the gateway comes from a mix of Raleigh Parks capital funds, a $340,000 donation from The Conservation Fund and a National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant, partners say. The council materials and bid documents show the formal award to Harrod and Associates Constructors LLC in an amount not to exceed $1,946,585 and an authorized $600,000 budget transfer to complete the work, per the City Council meeting agenda.
Community Context and Next Steps
Partners including the NC Water Resources Research Institute and local nonprofits have driven the Bailey Drive effort as part of a broader initiative to expand green-space access in Southeast Raleigh and to restore wetland function. Construction is slated to begin this spring with public-art and volunteer opportunities planned as the project moves forward, according to the NC Water Resources Research Institute.
For project questions or to sign up for updates, contact Tom Dawson with Raleigh Parks at [email protected]. The City of Raleigh project page also lists contacts and timeline details and can be found on the City of Raleigh website.
