Day 7: Your Questions, Their Answers: Holly Springs (NC) Mayoral and Town Council Candidate Q&A Series
Parks, Environment & Quality of Life: What steps would you take to ensure parks, trails, and green space keep pace with growth and redevelopment?
Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 30, 2025 — As Holly Springs prepares for the upcoming municipal elections, Holly Springs Update (HSU) and What’s Happening Holly Springs (WHHS) are working to give residents a clear view of where the candidates stand on key issues.
Earlier this month, all candidates were provided with a questionnaire developed from community-driven submissions and refined by Christian Hendricks, publisher of HSU, and Aaron Wenzel, moderator of WHHS. Candidate response documents were first published together in a story on September 22nd.
Earlier story: All Candidate Submissions Now Published in Holly Springs (NC) Mayoral & Town Council Questionnaire (9/22/25).
To facilitate easier comparison and contrast of answers, responses are being shared on an individual basis. Beginning September 24 and continuing through October 4, one question will be featured each day.
Today’s installment marks Day 7 of the series. For readers who missed prior days’ coverage, stories can be found by clicking on the links below:
Day 1: How will you ensure that growth does not outpace the town’s capacity for infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, safety, technology, utilities)?
Day 2: What specific steps would you take to address congestion on NC 55, Avent Ferry, Sunset Lake, and other deficient roads and connectivity and walkability of greenways and sidewalks?
Day 3: What steps would you take to improve school safety and better protect students?
Day 4: How would you address school overcrowding and frequent student reassignments?
Note: All candidate responses are published exactly as submitted, without editing, and are presented in alphabetical order by last name. Links are also provided below to all answers from each candidate and their respective campaign websites.
Question 7: Parks, Environment & Quality of Life
What steps would you take to ensure parks, trails, and green space keep pace with growth and redevelopment?
Mayoral Candidate Answers
Mike Kondratick
Our $100 million parks bond is helping ensure our parks and greenways continue to grow.
Maintaining green space along with growth is more difficult given that the state legislature has limited our ability to “down-zone” from higher- to lower-density land uses. That said, Holly Springs’ Unified Development Ordinance requires green space and greenways, so continuing its enforcement will help.
We can generate additional investments in parks and trails through federal and state grant programs and public-private partnerships.
Additionally, though not green space, our library is another important quality-of-life amenity. We should work with the Wake County Commissioners to ensure Holly Springs is included in the county’s next library bond so we can build a facility that can better support our growing community.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Sean Mayefskie
Our quality of life is defined by more than growth — it’s about connection, community, and open space. Every development contributes to our Parks & Rec fund, which we’ve used to expand programs, trails, and facilities. I’ve ensured new neighborhoods promote walkability and link to existing greenways and sidewalks. In my next term, I’ll continue building on this momentum — with more safe outdoor spaces, recreation for all ages, and green investments that make Holly Springs a place people are proud to live.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Town Council Candidate Answers
Joe Cuccurullo
It is important that as Holly Springs grows, we make sure parks, trails, and green spaces remain central to the development process. One example I am especially proud of is the expansion of our parks with the upcoming opening of Eagles Landing. I was able to vote for this project on the Planning Board, and it is a major step forward for our community. Eagles Landing will provide much-needed space for youth sports, as well as new recreational options such as a splash pad and an all-wheels skate park. Its location close to the high school makes it an excellent resource for families and students.
When it comes to green space, we must preserve tree buffers during new development and ensure that open areas are included in site design. These natural areas are part of what makes Holly Springs such an attractive place to live, and they must be protected even as we continue to grow.
Greenways are also a key part of quality of life. We should continue expanding our system and connecting new segments as development occurs. Where gaps remain and no projects are planned, the Town should evaluate whether completing those connections independently is possible, understanding that this must be handled on a case-by-case basis and will depend on available funding.
By making thoughtful choices in the planning process, we can grow while also preserving the parks, trails, and green spaces that make Holly Springs a great place to live.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Annie Drees
Per the Holly Springs UDO (Unified Development Ordinance), any development that adds residential units is required to provide public park land and a fee-in-lieu for park improvement costs. The magnitude of the land and fee-in-lieu is scaled by the number of residential units and the type of units. If the development chooses to provide public park land, I believe it is important that any dedicated park land be desirable and easily accessible to the community. The Town Council had a development project that buried a public park at the back of a dense neighborhood with no direct way to access the park except by driving through the community. That was a negative to me about this development, which was one of the reasons I voted against it. Public parks should be serving all of our community.
There are parts of Holly Springs that don’t have convenient access to parks. The Town has a Park Search Area Map with parts of town identified for future parks. I believe we should be using the number of residents impacted by the lack of parks in these areas to prioritize park location to serve the largest number of residents.
I answered above about expanding the PAYGO program, which would accelerate greenway expansion. Holly Springs has a greenways map which shows current and future planned trail extensions. Continuing to work to close sidewalk gaps and connect more parts of the town for walkers and bikers will get reduce the cars on the road, particularly for local events where parking can be limited.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Tim Forrest
Families consistently tell us they chose Holly Springs because of our small-town feel, quality of life, and access to parks and green space. As growth continues, we have to protect those values by making sure recreation and greenways keep pace with development.
First, I support finishing projects already in motion, including Eagles Landing Park, the first major park west of NC-55, and planned enhancements at Ting Park, Sugg Farm, Womble and Mims Park, which will expand recreation and civic gathering spaces for families.
Second, I believe in continuing to expand our greenway network, linking neighborhoods to parks, schools, and downtown. Greenways are not just for recreation—they are also safe transportation alternatives that connect our community.
Third, I will hold developers accountable by requiring contributions toward parks, open space, and greenway connectivity as part of new projects. Growth must help fund the amenities it requires, so existing taxpayers aren’t left with the bill. Fourth, I support pursuing state and federal grants and public-private partnerships to fund major investments in parks and trails without putting the full burden on residents.
Finally, planning for future land acquisition is critical. As Holly Springs develops, open space becomes harder to secure, so we must act now to preserve land for future generations before it’s lost.
The bottom line: parks, trails, and green space are not “extras”—they are part of the fabric of Holly Springs. By finishing current projects, expanding connectivity, and planning ahead, we can ensure our community stays family-friendly, healthy, and connected as it grows.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Kara Foster
One of the top reasons families move to Holly Springs is quality of life, and that starts with parks and greenways. Today, the town maintains over 300 acres of parkland and 12.8 miles of greenways, along with Bass Lake Park’s 54 acres of trails and recreation. But with our population projected to keep climbing, we must expand these amenities to match demand.
I support dedicating a portion of new development fees directly toward greenway and park expansion, ensuring growth pays for itself. I would also pursue state and federal recreation grants to accelerate trail connections, particularly those that link Holly Springs to regional networks like the American Tobacco Trail.
Greenways are not just about recreation. Research shows that every $1 invested in trails returns nearly $3 in health savings, environmental benefits, and reduced traffic costs. Expanding green space is one of the smartest, most cost-effective strategies we can pursue.
As we grow, our commitment to parks and greenways must grow with us. That is how we protect what makes Holly Springs special.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Sarah Larson
During my time on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, the Tree Advisory Committee, and the Downtown Area Planning Committee, I have seen firsthand how thoughtful planning and early engagement with residents can create spaces that serve everyone. I will continue to use these experiences to advocate for connected, accessible greenways, sidewalks, and trails that link neighborhoods to parks, schools, and the downtow corridor.
I will work within our UDO standards, collaborate with town staff, and leverage green space obligations from developers to ensure we prioritize environmental stewardship, including maintaining tree canopy and incorporating sustainable practices.
Our Parks and Recreation staff truly do a great job providing classes, activities and events for all ages. I would like to see the Town continue to expand these offerings.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)
Josh Prizer
I believe the town is doing a pretty good job of this already. Our greenways are starting to plug into one another. We have a brand new park coming. We have some of the best parks, playgrounds and sports fields in the county, perhaps the state. But we will need more as we grow.
As we continue to expand town land and annex parts of the ETJ, we will need to account for this and make sure that we’re factoring in recreation for all of our people, families and seniors included.
Links: (candidate submittals, website)