Community gardens and U-pick orchards planned at future Wake County park
Community gardens, U-pick orchards and kayak launches are planned for a new Wake County park in east Raleigh.
The Wake County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the schematic design for the Kellam-Wyatt Farm Monday evening.
“I’m really just superbly impressed with this jewel, I guess you might call it, and I think there’s no question that (with) the schematic design and thought that has gone into this that this really could be a game changer,” said Commissioner James West.
Located off of New Bern Avenue and near the Raleigh-Knightdale border, the property includes a third-generation family farm, a pond and woods. Money for developing the park was included in the voter-backed county parks bond in 2018.
Wake County held a community engagement process to learn what residents wanted to see at the park.
“This three-generation family farm and woodland sanctuary has much to offer the Wake County community in natural beauty, wildlife habitat and sustainable educational agriculture,” according to documents provided to the Wake County commissioners Monday night.
Some of the features also include woodland and meadow trails, a meadow picnic area and a pond overlook.
But there is also a demand for farm-related activities, including a community garden and orchard, space for u-pick and harvest events and a space near the community gardens for agricultural demonstrations.
Construction will likely begin in winter 2024, and the park will open in 2025.
Wake County now has eight county parks and three nature preserves. There are plans for three more county parks in addition to the Kellam-Wyatt Farm.
The 59-acre property was donated by Susan Wyatt, her late husband Bob Kellam, and his daughter Leewyn Kellam in 2018 with a conservation easement on the property. The easement limits what can be built on the property.
“I just want to say to the Kellam-Wyatt family, thanking them for their donation to the county for this property,” said Commissioner Don Mial. “Especially with the price that property is going for around the county. So 50 acres of land donated is very much appreciated, and then for it to be available for all the citizens of our county to benefit and enjoy once this property is completed.”
The Wake County Board of Commissioners also voted to buy 100 acres of open space near future parks and in watersheds for preservation efforts.
This story was originally published March 7, 2023 at 7:30 AM.
