Contact: Bill Crabtree
Telephone: (919) 554-6196 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
WAKE FOREST TO BUY PARK LAND
WAKE FOREST, NC – September 23, 2005 – The Town of Wake Forest Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to commit $1.1 million towards the purchase of 80 acres of park land and open space.
The Board’s action came one night after Wake County commissioners pledged matching funds for the site that sits along Smith Creek and is adjacent to the future site of Heritage High School. Town officials say they expect the area to one day be a part of a seven-mile greenway running along the town’s reservoir to the Neuse River.
This marks the second time in two years the town and county have joined forces to secure park land. In 2003, Wake County contributed $1.5 million toward the $4.15 million purchase of Joyner Park, a 117-acre tract in Wake Forest.
Wake Forest Parks and Recreation Director Susan Simpson said Wake Forest will begin development on Joyner Park in late 2006. The first phase of the park will include hiking trails, an amphitheater, and picnic shelters. The $3.5 million project will also involve restoring the site’s farm buildings and pecan grove.
Officials said the purchase of the Smith Creek land should be completed late this year. Construction of the Smith Creek greenway will determine when the 80 acres are opened to the public.
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For more information, contact Susan Simpson, Parks and Recreation Director, at (919) 554-6182.