The 21-acre park site was donated by the Wooten family in 1996 for the use of the citizens of Raleigh as a park and future greenway connection.  Up until the 2021-2022 park renovation, the park site was mostly used for interim activities, including a soccer field in the early 2000’s, and as a natural open space.

Through a detailed community engagement process, the Wooten Meadow Park Master Plan process was completed in 2015 and followed by a schematic design in 2017.  As over 70 percent of the park site is in the floodplain of Hare Snipe Creek, the park design had to clear several environment requirements.  Final design and permitting was completed in 2020 followed by a construction in early 2021.  After over a year of construction, the park opened to the public in May 2022.

Following the recommended priority items from the Wooten Meadow Park Master Plan, park construction focused on the creation of planted wetland areas along with a new paved parking area, pedestrian trail system, and open meadows.  The wetlands and meadow areas, along the streamside and forested areas, add habitat diversity to the park and function to mitigate and clean the flood waters of Hare Snipe Creek.  Future phases, as directed by the Master Plan, may include educational signage, a picnic shelter, restrooms, a small playground area, display gardens, and a pathway connection to a future greenway southeast of Wooten Meadow Park.

The Wooten Meadow Park project was a joint project between Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department and Raleigh Stormwater.  Funding for the park renovation came from capital improvements funds provided by both departments.