WithersRavenel’s Design+Planning team received an Honorable Mention in the Master Plan category of the prestigious Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance. The award recognized the River Cane Wetland Park Master Plan, a project that reflects a strong commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and thoughtful design. The honor was announced at the 2025 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards. This event took place on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at The Chapel in Dix Park.
What is the River Cane Wetland Park Master Plan?
The River Cane Wetland Park Master Plan was developed through a 10-month planning process from 2023 to 2024, with WithersRavenel leading an extensive collaboration with the City of Raleigh and the surrounding community. The plan, formally adopted in August 2024, emphasizes connectivity, recreation, and environmental stewardship. Its defining feature is a boomerang-shaped boardwalk that stretches over Beaverdam Creek. The boardwalk provides a safe and scenic link between neighborhoods on the north and south sides of the park property.
Beyond the boardwalk, the design calls for a range of recreational and natural amenities. These include a picnic shelter, restrooms, nature and traditional play spaces, a half basketball court, and paved greenway trails. The project also integrates sustainability measures such as:
- A pollinator meadow
- A food forest within the nature trail
- Green stormwater infrastructure adjacent to parking and recreation areas
The City has set a budget of $8.94 million for the park’s development. This budget includes design, permits, construction, and community features.
WithersRavenel’s role in the project extends across all stages of delivery. In addition to master planning, the firm has provided due diligence, surveying, geotechnical exploration, permitting, preparation of construction documents, bidding assistance, and continues to support the project through construction administration and closeout.
About the Awards
Since 1983, the Sir Walter Raleigh Awards for Community Appearance have honored over 200 projects. These projects improve the character, environment, and look of Raleigh. Presented annually by the Raleigh City Council, the awards honor the work of developers, designers, community groups, and citizens who contribute to the City’s unique sense of place. With this recognition, River Cane Wetland Park joins a long tradition of projects that enrich Raleigh’s built and natural environments.
