Horseshoe Farm Park Master Plan
Background:
The Horseshoe Farm property consists of approximately 146 acres on an oxbow of the Neuse River in northeastern Wake County. The property was purchased in 1994 from the Hedrick family to serve as a future park site. The upland fields have been farmed as crops or pasture for generations. The floodplain forests adjacent to the Neuse River are designated by the State of North Carolina as a Significant Natural Heritage Area due to the presence of bottom land hardwood forests, wetlands and a system of natural river levees. The Master Plan was adopted by the Raleigh City Council on May 15, 2007 and is available below. The funding source for this project is the 2000 park bond.
Status:
The Raleigh City Council voted May 15, 2007, to approve a master plan for Horseshoe Farm Park (available in .pdf format below) that preserves the bulk of the site in its current state.
The master plan conserves the park’s sensitive floodplain habitat, thus allowing patrons sweeping views of the spacious park. The following elements are included in the adopted master plan:
- Improvements to the access road and pond dam – 1800 feet of road to be widened for two lanes, with repair/replacement of the dam it crosses; improvements to Ligon Mill Road (as determined by NCDOT review); utilities (water, sewer, etc. even if these are not utilized in early phase(s)).
- Canoe/kayak river launch– terraced “car top” boat launch. Draft Master Plan calls for both a shelter and office/rental building to support boating programs.
- River walk – trails to parallel the river from the approximate location of future greenway bridges. This will form a loop from the proposed picnic area, through the river launch, and back; natural surface.
- Playground– shade, benches, picnic tables; all will relate to the natural environment and cultural history of Park.
- Picnic shelters– two 100-person shelters.
- Restroom– to support day use of the picnic shelter(s), playground.
The adopted master plan does not include an environmental education/arts building or a community center. The City Council could revisit these and other elements in the future through a master plan amendment. The City’s Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board had recommended the City Council consider an indoor recreation center and two unlit outdoor basketball courts for Horseshoe Farm Park.
The Horseshoe Farm Park master plan was drafted with considerable input from the public. A citizens’ master plan committee was formed to lead the master planning effort.
Planning for the initial phase of development is underway. Milestones, including review of the 30 % drawings for phase 1, will be announced here when available.
Last Updated: 9/21/07
For More Information Contact:
David Shouse
Park Planner
Parks and Recreation Department
222 W. Hargett Street, Suite 608
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-890-3285
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