Optimist Farm Greenway Project

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Family on Greenway
Groups Walking on Greenway
Groups Walking - Flowing Tree
Mom Biking with 2 Kids on Board

Current Status:

Fall 2024 Update: After the public meeting we have met with the HOA's and our consultants continue to get more information including geotechnical for the boardwalks as we continue to revise the layouts.

Summer 2024 Update: A drop-in information session was held Wednesday, June 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Middle Creek Community Center (125 Middle Creek Park Ave). Information on what was shared is below. 

Project Background

Currently, a couple of short lengths of greenway have been built as development occurred in and around the Middle Creek schools and neighborhood. This project will look to connect some of these greenways to make a larger pedestrian and bicycle network. In addition, with the construction and completion of the NC Department of Transportation's NC 540, Cary is coordinating with the Turnpike Authority to construct a few crossings that will allow pedestrian connections. 

Project Overview

As development has occurred, Cary has requested and received multiple greenway easements for the ultimate construction of our greenway network. We have also had some sections built, but currently, there is not a cohesive network. The linked map illustrates the greenway's project limits. Several future sidewalk projects are also noted on  the map. Visit the Sidewalk Project page for more information on these pedestrian improvement projects. 

This project will be looking at an approximately two-mile segment of a 10’ wide paved trail:

  • Southern Section: Approximately 3600 linear feet – From West Lake Road at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility north to Optimist Farm Road.
  • Northern Section: Approximately 3100 linear feet – From Optimist Farm Road north paralleling Forester Lane connecting to the existing segment of greenway and up to Bells Lake Road.
  • Lake Section: Approximately 3700 linear feet. It branches off the northern section and heads west into West Lake Neighborhood, crossing Henderson Road, then crossing Homeplace Drive and around the lake with an existing easement to West Lake Road.

Public Engagement

Summer 2024

Summer 2024 Presentation

Information session was held Wednesday, June 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Middle Creek Community Center and the following information was shared:

Frequently Asked Questions

30% Plans:

Sheet 1 - Southern Section

Sheet 2 - Southern and Northern Section

Sheet 3 - Northern Section

Sheet 4 - Lake Section

Winter 2024 

In January 2024, postcards were mailed to property owners adjacent to the HOA land where the greenway easements are located, along with details regarding the conceptual alignment.

Cary has a well-documented history of robust public engagement. Exult Engineering, with an office in Raleigh, is the lead consultant for the project and will assist in the public meeting and preparing the plans.

Schedule and Funding

Design funding was received in the FY2024 budget. We expect the design to take two years, and during this time, we will be seeking grants and other funding for construction. A $3,250,000 LAPP grant was recommended by CAMPO from NCDOT and it will take most of 2024 to finalize the agreement to make this official.

Contact

Phone: Dial 311 within Cary limits or (919) 469-4000 outside of Cary.
Email: 311@carync.gov

Paul Kuhn, PLA, ASLA - Capital Program Manager

Sammy Wood, PE - Project Engineer