First, I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone who has contributed to this cause. I’m incredibly grateful to see that so many of you care as much about these trails as I do.

We now stand over 250 strong! This is a powerful milestone, and together, our voices will be heard.

 
Ways You Can Still Help
1. Contact City Leadership
We’ve begun outreach to Council Member Christina Jones, who represents District E. While the quarry land currently isn't clearly assigned to a council district—possibly due to its designation as a Special Study Area—we believe District E is the best place to start.

2. Gather Trail Evidence
We need old photographs, GPS data, fitness app records, and any documentation that shows how long these trails have been in use. The more historical context we have, the stronger our case becomes.

3. Mapping Volunteers Needed
If you have skills with GIS, Google Earth, or property mapping tools, we need help creating detailed trail maps that overlay with parcel ownership, greenway corridors, and easement boundaries.

4. Share Your Story
We are preparing to contact key decision-makers. Personal stories help demonstrate the human impact of this issue. If the blockade has affected you or your family, please share your story in the comments and email it to one of our listed difference-makers.

5. Speak at the City Council Meeting
We are seeking 5–6 volunteers with experience in public speaking, planning, parks advocacy, or local engagement to attend the June 11th Raleigh City Council meeting. We'll coordinate talking points so each speaker addresses a unique angle of the issue.
📅 Sign-up deadline: 3:00 PM on June 6th
📍 Details: Petition to Address City Council

 
What We Know So Far
A. Historical Trail Use

• Satellite imagery from 2004 shows clearly worn paths matching the current trail network—proof of long-term public use.

B. Zoning Case Z-002-11

• This case proposed development of Poyner Road but was denied due to the quarry’s incompatibility with emergency flood control.
• Crucially, it includes a condition that the road must be developed "if requested by the City." That condition still applies and is more relevant now than ever.

C. Comprehensive Plan Amendment CP-3-13 (2013)

• GIS records confirm a planned designation of Poyner Road as a 2-lane undivided "Avenue", adopted under Resolution 2013-802. We need to call city planning to get more information about this.

D. City Council Transportation Plan (2019)

• The 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update includes:
  “Poyner Road: Burcliff Place to Longhill Lane” as a Future Street Improvement Project
  📄 Page 54, Table T-2 of the Staff Report
  Link to Document (PDF)

E. Greenway Easements & Legal Precedent

• ObjectId 1923 – File G-649 (Hanson Quarry)
• ObjectId 1925 – File G-651 (The Hamptons at Umstead Phase 2)
  These greenway easements are adjacent to the Poyner Road connector trail. Notably, G-649 was granted by the quarry itself, showing a clear precedent for trail access through this land.

F. Land Ownership Transitions

• 5003 Duraleigh Rd, previously owned by the quarry, is now owned by the State of North Carolina.
• To the west, land is owned by The Hamptons at Umstead HOA, which has already approved greenway development on their easement.

Looking Ahead
This cause is about preserving safe, established, and community-supported access to trails that link our neighborhoods to Umstead Park and Raleigh’s Greenway System.
We are not asking for a special favor—we are asking the City to:

• Recognize the decades of established public use
• Uphold existing zoning conditions
• Protect public access in a growing, changing city
• Let’s keep up the momentum and show up strong on June 11th!

📬 If you’d like to get involved—whether with speaking, mapping or if you have more information—please reply to this post or email joshua.danford@gmail.com. I will do my best to reply within a few days.

Together, we can protect this trail and preserve it for generations to come.