The 7.1-mile-long Black Creek Greenway is one of the Town of Cary’s longest and most popular greenways. It has connections to other important recreational and open space areas. In response to the development of a suburban apartment complex along the lake, which involved the construction of a stormwater detention pond, retaining walls, and parking areas, the Town decided to move the greenway. This was to avoid potential conflicts.
WithersRavenel provided planning, landscape architecture, and engineering services for the design and relocation of 1,250 feet of trail.
With the input of area residents, city staff, and greenway users, WithersRavenel designed enhancements and new amenities along the relocated trail. These included widening the path from 8 feet to 10 feet, constructing two pedestrian bridges, and adding indigenous landscaping with wildlife plantings. In addition, they installed a memorial water fountain and built an improved covered overlook structure.
Flood studies informed the selection of a trail alignment that maximized year-round use. Supplemental tree plantings minimized overall impacts to existing vegetation.
