Forest Ridge Park clears hurdle

Boathouse, disc golf among ideas

The Forest Ridge Park master planning committee ironed out a preliminary plan for the 586-acre park at Falls Lake last week.

The plan is the culmination of 11 meetings. The committee has been meeting at the Green Road Park Community Center since June.

Next, the public gets a chance to comment on the plan in a meeting that's likely to be held in March, though no date had been set as of press time.

The current plan has a wide range of activities and facilities. They include: 6.5 miles of single track mountain biking trails; wilderness trails; an extension of the city's greenway system; a disc golf course; fishing piers; a canoe launch; a beach; a boathouse; camping; a lodge; adventure activities including a ropes course and a climbing wall; an amphitheater; picnic shelters; a multi-use playing field; and a retreat center with meeting space.

The land is controlled by the Army Corp of Engineers -- a federal agency -- and, unlike other Raleigh park planning processes, the City Council won't have the final word on the plans.

After the public meeting, the committee may make changes before sending the plans to the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board, which may also make changes.

The City Council will sign off on the plans, but will then need approval from the state Wildlife Resources Commission. Federal officials will also have to sign off before the park could be built.