Wake County’s New Parks Plan Targets Growth Pressures, Expands Access, and Prioritizes Open Space Preservation
With 62 new residents arriving daily and tree canopy declining, a new master plan maps where parks, trails, and open space investments will go, and who they’re meant to serve
Raleigh, April 14, 2026 — Wake County is moving toward adoption of a new Comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space master plan (document), a document designed to guide how land is preserved, parks are expanded, and access is improved as the county continues to grow at a pace of roughly 62 new residents per day. With a population now at approximately 1.2 million and tree canopy already reduced by 3.6 percent between 2010 and 2020, the plan is framed as both a response to growth and a long-term environmental strategy.
The county’s park system already plays a measurable role in the local landscape, with more than 9,500 acres of protected open space added since 2003, 1.76 million annual visitors, and an estimated $6.3 million in annual tax revenue tied to parks and preserves. But as demand increases, officials say the system must evolve to keep pace—not just in size, but in how it serves different communities across the county.
What Residents Said and Where the Gaps Are
Public input was central to shaping the plan, with more than 1,000 survey participants in the first round of engagement and over 1,100 additional comments collected through events and outreach in the second phase. Across those inputs, residents consistently emphasized trails, nature access, and connectivity as top priorities.
The feedback carried a clear sense of urgency. “Save more open space, please,” one resident wrote, capturing a theme that surfaced repeatedly across workshops and surveys. Others pointed to the importance of connected infrastructure, noting that “trail connectivity from park to park would be amazing,” while still others highlighted the broader role of parks as gathering places, describing them as “third spaces where they can reconnect with nature and gather with community.”
Geographic disparities also emerged as a defining issue. Residents in southeastern Wake County described having fewer parks and longer travel distances to access trails and greenways, with one comment stating plainly, “The southeastern part of Wake County needs more parks.” That feedback directly informed the plan’s tiered investment strategy, which prioritizes areas with the least access to existing amenities.
A System Built Around Preservation, Access, and Connection
The plan is organized around five core goals: protecting natural and cultural resources, expanding access to recreation, connecting people and places, promoting health and well-being, and sustaining long-term investment. At its center is a vision to preserve land before it is lost while expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and ensuring access across all communities.
To guide where and how investments are made, the county developed a framework that evaluates projects based on whether they close service gaps, improve greenway connectivity, protect water resources, expand tree canopy, or serve vulnerable populations. This is paired with a countywide mapping strategy that divides future investments into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 areas, with Tier 1 representing the highest need—typically places with limited access to parks and open space.
The plan also reflects detailed feedback from residents about how parks are used. In addition to more trails and greenways, respondents called for longer trail experiences, improved pedestrian and bicycle access to parks, expanded water access through boat launches and paddle trails, and more inclusive design features that go beyond ADA requirements. Requests for shade, rest areas, and hydration stations also surfaced repeatedly, reflecting both climate concerns and the realities of extended outdoor use.
Balancing Growth, Equity, and Long-Term Investment
While the plan outlines an ambitious vision, it also recognizes the operational demands of maintaining and expanding a park system in a fast-growing county. Strategies include long-range land acquisition, coordination with municipalities, and increased investment in staffing, maintenance, and infrastructure to ensure the system remains sustainable.
Commissioners responded positively during the work session, highlighting both the scale of community engagement and the focus on equity. Questions centered on how different demographic groups, including an aging population and families with young children, are represented in the plan and how those needs will be prioritized as projects move forward.
What Comes Next
With the public comment period now closed, staff is finalizing the plan document and incorporating feedback from multiple departments and stakeholders. Adoption is expected in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a multi-year effort to expand access, protect remaining open space, and address geographic disparities across Wake County.