RALEIGH, N.C. — A new one-mile section of greenway is now open in Raleigh. Funding for the $11 million Crabtree Creek West Trail Project was approved in 2014. Once the other one-mile section is complete, it will connect the Neuse River Trail on the eastern side of Wake County to the American Tobacco Trail on the western side.

What You Need To Know

  • The Capital Area Greenway system has over 100 miles of trails

  • A new one-mile section of the Crabtree Creek West Trail opened between Ebenezer Church Road and Duraleigh Road

  • The project includes a 60-space parking lot, 12-foot-wide paved trail and five pedestrian bridges

  • Another 1.1-mile section between Duraleigh Road and Lindsay Drive should be done in October

“Having a system like this to kind of highlight and showcase how lush and beautiful our state and, you know, the outdoors is, is just wonderful. So this is kind of exciting,” said Alyssa Haley, a Raleigh native.

The Capital Area Greenway System has over 100 miles of trails. The latest part to open is a one-mile section of the Crabtree Creek West Trail between Ebenezer Church Road and Duraleigh Road.

“It's amazing how well the greenways are done here in Raleigh, how they're all connected. It's great for people that want to go for a bike ride or walks or runs or anything,” said Caitlin Boylan, a Raleigh resident.

Complete with a 60-space parking lot, people say this offers a safer way to also access the other nearby trails at Umstead State Park instead of parking along the busy road.

Map of the Crabtree Creek West Trail project progress. (City of Raleigh)

“Something that's going to be a little bit easier, safer getting out of the car, getting everything set and it's just beautiful. So I think it's a good, good addition to the area,” Haley said.

The City of Raleigh says the entire project should be finished by October. Another 1.1-mile section between Duraleigh Road and Lindsay Drive is also being built. Many people, including visitors, are noticing the investment.

“I know everywhere is kind of spending a little bit more of their infrastructure money to build things like this, because I think during the pandemic we kind of realized how much getting out was important. Whereas before, you know, maybe we kind of took it for granted,” said Kelly Manfra, who was visiting family in Raleigh.

The project includes a 12-foot-wide paved trail and five pedestrian bridges.

According to the City of Raleigh, this is the last remaining incomplete major segment of the three main greenway corridors. Crabtree Creek is identified in the system plan as a cross city connector.

To find a trail near you, visit the City of Raleigh’s website.