North Raleigh Today

The future Smoky Hollow Park is set to feature the restoration of Pigeon House Branch, the first phase of the Pigeon House Greenway Trail, and other passive recreation amenities. Located on the north side of downtown Raleigh, this park project will incorporate environmental remediation, stream restoration, flood and stormwater management, walking paths, gathering spaces, and extensive landscaped and naturalized areas.

“This grant will allow the City to fully transform an underutilized space in our downtown into a green oasis where Raleigh residents and visitors can enjoy an improved Pigeon House Creek, greenway, and public plazas,” said Raleigh Parks Director Stephen Bentley.

The City was awarded $8,679,930 in grant funding as part of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. Established in 2014 and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, ORLP is a nationally competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grant program created to aid disadvantaged urban communities that lack access to nearby outdoor recreation. Funds can be used for the acquisition and/or development of or substantial renovation of public parks and other outdoor recreation spaces.

The City expressed enthusiasm about moving closer to achieving its climate action goals while bringing improvements and new amenities to residents.