Kimberly Nusbaum: Our Central Park corridor

Regarding the Aug. 20 news article “RDU Authority asked to preserve land for trails”: The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has released its Vision 2040 statement that includes plans to develop land adjacent to Umstead State Park and a large portion of Crabtree County Park, including all of the mountain biking trail system.

I understand that as a thriving area Raleigh needs airport access. But professionals are drawn to Raleigh and Durham by the work-life balance here, including the trail systems and natural recreation. Are we trying to compete for professionals from Greensboro? Then maybe this doesn’t matter. But if we are trying to attract professionals and businesses from Seattle, New York, Portland or Chicago, we need to have a city that hasn’t sacrificed its uniqueness for incredibly modest gains.

The Crabtree-Umstead corridor is our Central Park, and once it is turned into chain hotels and parking, time can’t be turned back.

This story was originally published September 4, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Kimberly Nusbaum: Our Central Park corridor."