Greenways

Greenways are an important part of the Town of Wake Forest's Open Space & Greenways Plan, most recently updated in 2009. Greenways answer the growing public demand for safe and pleasant ways to travel about the town and offer many benefits.

Greenway corridors are also prioritized to meet economic and transportation objectives.

The Town's first greenway was constructed in 2003. Today, there are approximately 14 miles of developed greenways within Wake Forest and nearly 40 miles of planned greenways.

Preserving the Natural Environment

Wake Forest recognizes the value of preserving the natural environment and endeavors to protect natural habitats by installing greenways along local streams and waterways. In so doing,  we effectively protect various wildlife, soil and vegetation along these corridors.

There are a multitude of environmental benefits from trails, greenways, and open spaces that help to protect the essential functions performed by natural ecosystems. Greenways protect and link fragmented habitat and provide opportunities for protecting plant and animal species. Trails and greenways also reduce air pollution and improve water quality by creating a natural buffer zone that protects streams, rivers and lakes, preventing soil erosion and filtering pollution caused by agricultural and road runoff. 

Get Involved

Members of our entire community can provide input and contribute efforts to maintain and enhance our greenway system. The Adopt-a-Trail program allows volunteers to participate in two ways, trail clean-up and trail enhancement, both of which enhance the beauty and functionality of the greenway system. The Adopt-a-Stream program allows proactive volunteers to monitor their neighborhood streams which can be accessed from the greenways. The Tree Steward program certifies volunteers who are trained to plant and care for town trees often found along greenways. Greenways serve as a classroom for environmental education, where we can learn about land forms, water quality, as well as plants and animals.

Wake Forest Trails & Greenways

Dunn Creek Greenway

E. Carroll Joyner Park

Flaherty Park

Heritage High Soft Trail

Kiwanis Park

Miller Park

Olde Mill Stream section of Richland Creek Greenway - Closed until further notice

Sanford Creek at Heritage South

Smith Creek at Burlington Mills Road

Smith Creek at Smith Creek Soccer Center

Tyler Run Park

Wake Forest Reservoir Soft Trail