Please view Updates!!!

5/23/2025
We are working respectfully with the quarry. I believe they have the community's best interests in mind. Let's show some patience while we work together on a solution! I will keep everyone updated as things manifest.

We, the undersigned residents and members of the Raleigh community, urge the City of Raleigh to take immediate action to restore public access to the Poyner Road trail corridor and to pursue formal development, designation, or protection of this vital community connection.

For over 20 years, this unpaved yet well-worn trail has been used safely and respectfully by residents as a key route to Umstead Park and the Raleigh Greenway System. The trail connects neighborhoods, supports healthy recreation, and is a deeply valued part of the local landscape.

Recently, the quarry owner (Heidelberg Materials) has blocked this long-standing public access by erecting a fence and placing rocks at the end of Poyner Road, citing isolated incidents of misuse. This action has cut off responsible community members from a well-established and cherished trail.

We recognize that a previously proposed zoning case (Z-002-11) that might have facilitated development was denied, but we believe that:

• The City still holds the ability and responsibility to protect long-standing community routes through other mechanisms, including easements, new rezoning efforts, or trail dedication.
• Decades of uninterrupted public use demonstrate strong community reliance and value.
• Reconnecting this corridor would enhance pedestrian infrastructure, promote safe outdoor access, and align with Raleigh’s greenway and parks goals.

We respectfully request the City to:

1. Investigate options to restore legal public access to this trail corridor, whether through easement, dedication, or rezoning.
2. Engage with the property owner to reestablish a community connection in a safe, permanent, and well-managed way.
3. Affirm the City’s commitment to preserving vital green connections for its citizens.

The time to act is now — before a decades-long community path is lost permanently.

Let’s stand together to protect public access, honor community history, and preserve Raleigh’s green future.