Wake County is finalizing plans for its newest park, Kellam-Wyatt Farm, and residents have another chance to weigh in on its future.
The final community meeting will take place on Thursday, June 24, at the large picnic shelter at Anderson Point Park in Raleigh. Residents are invited to drop in any time between 4:30 and 7 p.m. to check out the draft plan and talk to staff.
“Kellam-Wyatt Farm is an amazing resource for our community, and there is so much opportunity that we would love to hear what our residents would like to see out there,” said Commissioner Sig Hutchinson. “So, please take a few minutes to let us know your thoughts on what will certainly be a true Wake County gem for generations to come.”
There will be no formal presentation at the meeting. Attendees are invited to walk around and view boards that highlight different parts of the plan. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
Following the meeting, residents can share their thoughts about the draft Kellam-Wyatt Farm master plan by filling out a quick online survey. The master plan will be implemented in phases, and the survey will allow the community to weigh in on which elements they’d like to see prioritized in the first phases of construction.
The History
Kellam-Wyatt Farm, a three-generation family farm and woodland sanctuary, is located off New Bern Avenue between Raleigh and Knightdale. It has much to offer in natural beauty, wildlife habitat and sustainable, educational agriculture.
In 2018, the Wake County Board of Commissioners accepted the donation of the farm from Susan Wyatt, her late husband, Robert (Bob) Kellam, and his daughter, Leewyn Kellam. The property was donated with a conservation easement, which means the land is legally limited to certain uses that support conservation values such as open space, scenic views, habitat and watershed protection, preservation of rural character and agricultural production.
“As Wake County’s population has sky-rocketed, and fields and forests have been replaced with roofs and pavement, our determination to preserve and share open space with future generations has been reinforced,” Susan Wyatt said in April 2018. “We feel confident that Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space will be an excellent steward for the future of the farm.”
The Future
A public process is underway to develop a master plan that will protect the site’s natural and agricultural character while allowing for public access, education and recreation.
In October, residents were asked to provide input via an online survey. Design consultants working with Wake County utilized those initial ideas and feedback to develop draft master plan options, which were reviewed during the first virtual meeting on March 24. After the final public meeting on June 24, the draft master plan will be presented to the Wake County Board of Commissioners for approval.
The county hopes to complete the master plan this summer, then move into design development and ultimately construction over the next few years.
Full details, including a visual tour, are available in English and Spanish at wakegov.com/kellamwyatt.
