RALEIGH, N.C. — The Raleigh City Council has approved a rezoning plan that could have a negative environmental impact on a unique park in the community. John Connors, a wildlife biologist, is worried about the fate of Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve.

What You Need To Know

  • Raleigh City Council voted 6-2 to approve rezoning plan for apartment complex to be built next to Horseshoe Farm
  • Environmentalists like John Connors are worried about the possible consequences to species at the nature park
  • Developers tell Spectrum News 1 the project will “comply with all City stormwater and water quality regulations”

“We’re really concerned about some of the things that could be changing in the near environment around here, right off the Neuse River,” Connors said. “Protecting the wetland pools, the water that gets into those pools.”

The park, which has been designated by the state as a natural heritage site, is under threat from developers. This week the Raleigh City Council gave the go-ahead to build more than 300 apartments right next to the preserve.

Connors is also concerned about the increase in noise, congestion and pet waste that could be harmful to the animals that live at Horseshoe.

“It’s going to change the character. They’re bringing the urban environment to what is a semi-rural part of Wake County and the premiere Raleigh Parks’ nature preserve. Right at the doorstep of it,” he said.“It’s going to change the character. They’re bringing the urban environment to what is a semi-rural part of Wake County and the premiere Raleigh Parks’ nature preserve. Right at the doorstep of it,” he said.

Connors, who is on the conservation committee of the Wake Audubon Society, lives in downtown Raleigh. He often escapes to nearby parks like Horseshoe for solitude and uninterrupted bird watching.

It’s also where he and his family encounter critters such as spotted salamanders who need clean, fresh water in order to breed.

“The pool gets filled with these big hard jelly mass filled with hundreds of eggs,” Connors said. “That’s when I brought my grandkids down here and we find the egg masses.”

He says he sees the bigger picture whenever he’s out in nature, including how different components form our ecosystem.

“My mission in life is to help people understand that,” Connors said. “And we’re part of it. Humans are certainly a big part of the ecosystem these days. But I think we have some responsibility to it.”

Connors says the city isn’t doing enough to commit to protecting the park. And he fears it may be too late.

Meanwhile, Spectrum News 1 reached out to the developers. A statement from their attorney said in part, “Constructing apartments at this site will provide alternative housing options for residents looking to either stay in the area or relocate to the area. There has been a lot of misinformation put forward by certain groups about what this project is going to be. This project is not being constructed within the Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve.  It will be located across the river, immediately adjacent to Louisburg Road. The project further is required to comply with all City stormwater and water quality regulations.”