Popular trails at Lake Crabtree Park to close in June before Wake lease expires
A popular portion of trails at Lake Crabtree County Park will close next month, despite pleas from bikers and hikers.
Wake County has leased property from Raleigh-Durham International Airport for a $1 a year since 1985. But the lease expires June 30, and the 136 acres closest to Interstate 40 are not included in a new lease.
The county will close the area at the end of the day Sunday, June 1, to begin removing “trail infrastructure,” it announced on its website.
“Thank you to everyone who enjoyed and cared for these trails over the years,” the website stated.
The news drew frustration and disbelief from some cyclists and hikers who want to see the land remain a park and undeveloped.
The airport authority began seeking interest from developers last summer, explaining that the Federal Aviation Administration now requires it to receive fair-market rent for the land.
Wake County is “actively working” on a new lease for other portions of Lake Crabtree County Park.
“It is the intent of the County to maintain visitor amenities such as the park’s walking paths, picnic facilities, playgrounds, boat rental, fishing pier, volleyball courts, open play area and waterfront,” according to the county’s website. “The new lease will also include ingress and egress for the park’s Lake Trail connection to the Cary and Morrisville Greenway network. The Lake Trail will also take users to the mountain biking trails on the 286 property.”
Wake County leases 150 acres between Umstead State Park and Lake Crabtree County Park known as “286.”
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Popular trails at Lake Crabtree Park to close in June before Wake lease expires."
