TOWNS OF CARY AND APEX COLLABORATE ON STREAM RESTORATION AND GREENWAY PROJECT

Plans Underway to Restore White Oak Creek and Build New Greenway Connection

Apex, NC – In support of a regional approach to environmental stewardship, the Towns of Apex and Cary have joined together to make use of a $282,700 federal grant that will help improve a vital natural resource in the Triangle – White Oak Creek.  The Town of Cary was awarded a stream restoration and greenway grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in January 2005 to be used towards the development of a plan for open space preservation; the Town of Cary decided to collaborate with Apex to develop a plan that will recommend areas to protect for open space preservation for the area between Green Level and Wimberly roads, recommend the restoration of 1.5 miles of White Oak Creek and provide the planning for a major greenway connection to the American Tobacco Trail.

“We are pleased to partner with Apex to implement this worthwhile undertaking,” said Mary Henderson, Cary ’s Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources. “This project is significant because the development of a trail link to the American Tobacco Trail will be mutually beneficial to both the residents of Cary and Apex.”  Henderson added that because the project area extends into Apex’s jurisdiction, the Town of Cary proposed the Town’s collaborate on the enhancement effort.

“We are looking forward to working with Cary to make the project a success,” said Bruce Radford, Apex Town Manager.  “Once complete, citizens of Apex and surrounding areas will be able to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities our environment has to offer.  Through improvements such as these, we are able to contribute to a better quality of life for years to come.”

As part of the project, Apex will plan for restoration and protection of farmland, wetlands, and riparian areas adjacent to tributaries to Jordan Lake .  Plans will also be developed for preservation of farmland, as well as restoration and creation of wetlands and riparian areas, which will help reduce sediment and nutrient losses within the watershed and improve the water quality in the lake.

Apex staff has been working with staff from Cary and two consultant teams, Buck Engineering of Cary and HadenStanziale of Wilmington, NC, to develop the stream restoration and greenway plan.  The planning effort will take approximately one year to complete.  When complete, the plan will include a natural communities inventory, wetland inventory, topographic and other surveys, greenway plan development and stream restoration plan. 

Design concepts for the project will be presented for public feedback at a public meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Apex Town Hall 3^rd Floor Training Room.  Attendees will be able to view renderings, maps and information for each of the design concepts, as well as have the opportunity to meet and talk with design team members and Apex and Cary staff, who will be available to answer questions. 

On Thursday, July 13 at 7 p.m. , a final public meeting will be held, and the final recommended plan for implementation will be presented.  The location will be announced at a later date.  Additional details and directions are available online at www.apexnc.org under “Public Notices – Special Meetings.”

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