Wake County leaders vote to buy former golf course for controversial new park

After months of discussion and sometimes fiery debate, Wake County leaders upheld their promise Monday to buy the former Crooked Creek Golf Course for a controversial park in southern Wake County.

Commissioners will spend $4 million to purchase the 143 acres from The Conservation Fund. Commissioners John Burns, Matt Calabria, Sig Hutchinson and Erv Portman voted in favor of buying the park, with Commissioners Greg Ford, Jessica Holmes and James West opposed.

The decision came after about 10 people spoke in favor of moving forward with the project, while a smaller group questioned the purchase. People wearing green shirts with the words "Park Please" filled the commissioner meeting room Monday afternoon.

Funding was also provided for the planning process, which will likely begin this year. Wake County will add gates, fences, lighting and signs around the property. It will be closed to the public during the planning process.

The park proved controversial leading into last month's Democratic primary for Burns, Calabria, Hutchinson and Portman. Burns and Portman eventually lost their re-election bids.

Critics of the park said the money for the purchase and development would be better spent on public education or affordable housing. Proponents said the park was needed in an area with limited public facilities and access to county parks.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Anna Johnson; 919-829-4807; @anna_m_johnson

This story was originally published June 18, 2018 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Wake County leaders vote to buy former golf course for controversial new park."