The NCHC has been working for several years on this project. It is always great to see our hardwork pay off! 

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Communications Office Alice Avery, Communications Specialist Alice.Avery@wakegov.com, 919-856-7550 Communications Office After Hours, 919-857-WAKE wakegov.com/news

For Release: Feb. 18, 2020

Construction to Begin on New Preserve Hikers and horseback riders will soon have new trails to travel in eastern Wake County. The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved a construction contract for Procter Farm Preserve, a 571-acre property of forest and working farmland near Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon. The preserve, located between Doc Procter and Riley Hill roads, will primarily serve as an equestrian and hiking trail facility. “Procter Farm Preserve will provide another option in Wake County for people to enjoy horseback riding and other recreational pursuits,” said Chris Snow, director of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. “We’re very excited to get started on this unique project.”

The county will construct approximately 6 miles of trails in the first phase of the project, which will also include:
• A parking area for cars and vehicles with horse trailers.
• Picnic facilities.
• Informational and trail signage.
• A constructed wetland to treat stormwater runoff from the parking area.
• Native plants throughout the landscape.

The total cost of the project is $2.3 million. The Board of Commissioners Monday voted unanimously to approve a contract in the amount of $2 million with McQueen Construction of Bahama, North Carolina. The county will pay for construction using funds identified in the parks, recreation, greenways and open space capital improvement plan. Work should start in late March, and the preserve could open to the public by the end of 2020 or in early 2021.

Proctor Farm Preserve, which will be the county’s third preserve, is the largest tract of land owned by Wake County for Parks, Recreation and Open Space. The Wake County Board of Commissioners strives to implement a comprehensive approach for preserving open space and developing parks and greenways to address gaps, leverage opportunities and resources, and enhance collaboration with municipal partners.

About Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space strives to provide outdoor recreation and educational opportunities while promoting environmental and cultural stewardship through a managed system of parks and open spaces. In 2018, more than 1.3 million people visited Wake County’s 10 parks and nature preserves.

To learn more about Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @WakeGovParks. You can also check out each of our parks on Facebook.
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