Description

The RDU Forest coalition is a group of volunteers that is dedicated to finding a compromise solution that protects and preserves forested outdoor recreation in the Old Reedy Creek corridor (which includes Odd Fellows, 286 East and West, Lake Crabtree County Park, and William B. Umstead State Park) but also provides an income source for our local airport. The forested corridor along Old Reedy Creek Road is deeded to 4 public entities (Wake County, Durham County, Raleigh, and Durham) but managed by the RDU Airport Authority (RDUAA). The RDUAA's current plans call for all of the forested areas adjacent to Umstead State Park to be developed...deforested and built upon or worse. The Odd Fellows becomes a rock quarry. 286 (East and West) becomes parking lots and office space. Lake Crabtree non-flood plain lands becomes hotels and an office park., There is a better solution. The state park system wants to incorporate both the Odd Fellows and 286 East into Umstead State Park. This would benefit all, including the airport and the community. These areas are currently the centerpiece of outdoor recreation in our area and contribute not only to our quality of life, but they serve as a draw for tourism. We should not squander this opportunity to have forested recreation in the middle of a metropolitan area.