Neuse River

Parks and Recreation

Neuse River Blueway Plan

Improving access to and awareness of a valuable natural resource and recreational asset

The Neuse River Blueway Plan is a comprehensive effort led by the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department (PRCR) to improve public access to and awareness of the Neuse River as a valuable natural resource and recreational asset.

Raleigh’s park system is a draw for people throughout Wake County, the Triangle Region, the State of North Carolina and beyond. Inspired by the overwhelming success of the Neuse River Greenway Trail (which is also a segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail) and the wealth of public park and greenway property that the City manages along this corridor, the City of Raleigh intends to promote the Neuse River itself as a Blueway Trail.

Development and promotion of the Neuse River Blueway concept will require both physical investment in infrastructure (improvements to existing boat launches and the creation of new river access points) as well as substantial community engagement and public outreach.

View the Final Neuse River Blueway Planning Document

Project Details

 
Type:
Parks
Contractors:
National Parks Service

Contact

 

Thomas McCourt

Lead Department:
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

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Planning

The Plan was approved by Council in March 2021 and the next steps are the short-term prioritized improvements. 

Final Neuse River Blueway Plan Document

Design

Phase details coming soon.

Construction

Phase details coming soon.

Complete


History

The Neuse River Blueway Plan will be an important first step toward a comprehensive update to the 1996 Neuse River Regional Park Master Plan, which has guided land acquisition and park & greenway development along the Neuse River corridor in Raleigh for the past 20 years. 

We believe that, as we begin to look at updating this master plan, it is important to start with the river itself. By making investments that will increase public access to, awareness of, and appreciation for the Neuse River, we will increase the broad base of community support necessary for conservation and recreation within this corridor to thrive for decades to come.

Schedule

Date Activity
Spring - Summer 2019 Analysis of Existing Conditions, Stakeholder Meetings, Community Input Survey
Fall - Winter 2020 Preparation of Draft Final
January 2021 Draft Plan Presentation to Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board
March 2021 Draft Plan Presentation to City Council

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