In this Issue:
Umstead Coalition Summer Picnic (Aug. 19)
NCSU Plans to Sell 159 Acres along Richland Creek
Umstead Coalition Volunteer Workdays
2000 and 2001 Celebrations for Umstead
Park History - "Aunt" Sarah Medlin
Raleigh Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC)
Small Area Plan - Sports and Entertainment Center
Umstead Visitor Center Programs
Umstead Coalition Hikes & Service Activities
Come to the Coalition's Summer Picnic at 1:00 p.m., August 19 at the #1 picnic shelter, Crabtree Creek side of
Umstead State Park (Off Glenwood Ave). Bring a covered dish and something to grill and we'll supply non-alcoholic
drinks, plates, and plastic utensils - and hotdogs & vege burgers. This will be a great event. You can tell
your cohorts about summer adventures just enjoyed and learning about the status of Park issues and upcoming activities
from the Umstead Coalition Committee Chairs.
Don't miss it!
Editors Note: The following is a letter that was sent to:
The Honorable Governor James B. Hunt Jr.
20301 MCS, Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
Governor Hunt:
It's hard not to notice the irony of NCSU's planned sale of 159 acres of land near the Raleigh Entertainment and
Sports Arena. This land hosts the last undisturbed tributary of Richland creek; preservation of the remaining branch
of this creek represents a real conservation opportunity. Meanwhile, you have spent the past several months evangelizing
for the protection of more open space in our state. Your Million Acre Initiative calls for "protecting the
streams…sensitive natural areas and wildlife habitat" of North Carolina, in part by tapping "the stewardship
ethic of many landholders in North Carolina" and by persuading landholders of sensitive lands to donate permanent
conservation easements to local governments or non-profit land trusts. Shouldn't state institutions lead the way
in this stewardship and set an example for the rest of us?
NCSU is trying to hoodwink the public into accepting a sale of the PUBLIC's lands without public input by calling
this a land swap, 159 acres for 1300 acres. Sounds great, everyone loves something for nothing. Consider what we
are swapping - mature, forested lands in the heart of the triangle, land crucial for water quality and a wildlife
and recreation corridor, in exchange for about 280 mostly farmland acres also in the Triangle, plus "significant"
other parcels, not in the Triangle.
The Conservation Plan for the Richland Creek Corridor, Published in 1997 by the Triangle Land Conservancy and
endorsed by a steering committee that included representatives from NCSU's Forestry and Real Estate Departments
recommends:
"The forested land along the western branch of Richland Creek, south of Wade Avenue, should be protected from
logging and sedimentation because of the high diversity of plants and prime amphibian habitat." (p. 53 of
the Richland Creek Corridor Plan).
Parts of the parcel are steep, wet and heavily forested, with mature and diverse plant and bird communities. These areas are difficult and expensive to develop without destroying the ecosystem that naturally preserves the health and beauty of the creek. They are therefore prime areas for perpetual protection.
But currently NCSU is showing no regard for the fate of this pubic land they are selling. NCSU is not attaching any conservation restrictions or easements around the creek as part of the sale of this land. NCSU, a land grant university, is sending the signal that water quality protection (the water that flows into it's own Schenck Forest, then into Richland lake and Umstead State park and on to the Neuse river) is not important and that they have no public stewardship obligation for the lands they own. NCSU seems to be looking instead to the highest bidder to set aside easements and hopefully protect our natural resources.
We've seen this before in West Raleigh. Witness how NCSU stood by with indifference and watched as formerly pristine Richland Creek adjacent to the arena had its waterway crossed and channelized and had its floodplain filled with muddy runoff from negligent construction. Is this the fate of the other branch of Richland creek?
Let's hope not. Governor Hunt, we call on you to show the same commitment to the environment and the quality of life in the triangle as you have in stopping the Duraleigh Connector. Please:
This is a golden opportunity for the state of North Carolina to show real land stewardship, let's consider meaningful
protection for this PUBLIC resource before it's too late.
Respectfully,
Charles Bachmann and Richard Tibbs, Richland Creek Streamwatch Committee, The Umstead Coalition
Victor D'Amato,Conservation Co-Chair, North Carolina Chapter Sierra Club
Michael Andrews, Conservation Chair, Capital Group Sierra Club
Heather Beard, Director of Upper Neuse River Basin Operations, Neuse River Foundation
Joe Rudek, Senior Scientist, Environmental Defense
Frank McKay, Environmental Educational Chair, The Umstead Coalition
cc: Dr. Marye Anne Fox, Chancellor
Mr. George Worsley, Vice Chancellor, NCSU Office of Finance and Business
Mr. Bill Holman, Secretary, NC Dept. of Envir. and Natural Resources
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The Coalition has started scheduling monthly Volunteer Workdays September through May to help maintain the Park's
foot trail system.
Anyone is welcome to help, as long as they are willing to get their hands a little dirty and perspire a bit. Children
under 12 are discouraged from coming because they might get hurt.
Some of the Umstead Coalition volunteer projects we've done include building stone steps on a trail, putting in
water-diversion erosion control bars, constructing a brand new section of trail from behind the Visitor Center
to Sal's Branch Trail, Richland Creek Streamwatch, and rerouting a section of Pat's Branch Trail past an eroded
section. The work days are a great opportunity to meet others who care about the Park and to do some worthy community
service right in the heart of the forest we love. For information, call 463-0104.
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Mark your calenders
SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2001
2000 Celebration was a Success!
This year's Celebration was on Saturday, April 22, the 30th Anniversary of Earth Day. The Celebration is a community
event for the appreciation, use, and preservation of William B. Umstead State Park and the Richland Creek Natural
Area. The Celebration combined fundraising with other activities:
A 6K (3.9 Mile) walk / fun run in the Natural Area of Umstead. Participants can get pledges to raise money for
the Park State Park. (music on the trail was provided by: Shadows of the Rain {Paul Antony Levine (Cello/vocals),
Ian Harrod (Guitar), Alex Gershuny (vocal) and Adam Morris (Guitar)}
Music (Bett Padgett; Victoria Axelrod, Julie Vaglia, and Lynda Wittig; Larry Nixon, David Blevins and Steven Gage;
Hooverville; and Memphis)
Environmental Education Exhibits
Free Food near the music stage
Great Outdoor Provision Company
News and Observer
Sierra Club
Cup A Joe
Funds raised will be used to support environmental education and land acquisition for Umstead State Park.
Environmental Education Exhibits:
A Carolina Animal Activist Together (CAAT)
Carolina Recycling Association
Eno River Association
Exploris
Forests of the World
Friends of State Parks
NCSU Lorax Environmental Club
Neuse River Foundation, Inc.
NC Alliance for Democracy
NC Division of Parks and Recreation
NC Fats Mountain Bike Club
NC Solar Energy Association
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Phoenix Resources
Raleigh Parks and Recreation
Sierra Club - Capital Group
Special Kids
Stream Ecology - Gerald Pottern
Ten Thousand Villages
Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC)
Triangle Transit Authority (TTA)
Triangle Vegetarian Society (TVS)
The Umstead Coalition
Wake County Cooperative Extension Service - Neuse Mobile
Wake County Open Space Grant Program
Great Oaks ($200 -$1,000)
Big Sky Bread Company
Café Carolina
Cup A Joe
Delight Foods
Eno River Association
Gregory Poole Equipment Compnay
(Power Systems Division)
Neomonde Bakery and Deli
Use-Yer-Foot Hand Washing Facility
(By Wildwood Farm of Saxapahaw, NC)
Moonbeams ($50 - $200)
Austin Quality Foods
Jill Flink Fine Art
NCSU Lorax Environmental Club
The Spin Cycle
R&H Produce
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In the 1920s "Aunt" Sarah Medlin lived just downhill from the Warren family graveyard, on what is now
the bridle trail though the Park. The incline in front of her house was called Aunt Sarah's Hill. Sarah was not
actually the Warrens' aunt; familiar neighbors were commonly called "aunt" and "uncle."
"Aunt Sarah Medlin's house was a log cabin," one of the Warren sisters says. "It had a small cook
stove in one corner by the fireplace and a bed on the other side of the fireplace. Chickens laid eggs on the beds.
She cooked hoe cake on a [trivet] using tongs."
"There was a small table in the center of the room with a bench on each side. She had a black dog named Sailor.
She'd say, 'Get out!' and he'd get under the table. She'd say, 'Get under the table then!'
"Aunt Sarah Medlin, she was just Aunt Sarah, all I ever knew or discovered or anything," remembers Truma
Warren Edgerton "When I got big enough to remember anybody there was Aunt Sarah. That's what we called her.
Aunt Sarah was the widow of a soldier in the Civil War. She lived by herself. She received a small [military] pension.
And she had to go to town to get that. Different ones would take her, mostly my brothers, or my daddy would take
her. Because she didn't have any relatives. When she went to get her pension, she always bought candy and gave
it to the children.
"She didn't have a tooth in her head. Dipped snuff. She wore aprons and petticoats and had her head tied up.
Big pockets. She would go to the woods and gather an apron full of wood.
"She was always good about helping people. She loved for people to ask her to come do something for them.
Everybody liked her and when the neighborhood boys teased her she'd yell, 'Kiss my ass!'"
n Tom Weber, author, "Stories in Stone"
Editors Note: The following contains excerpts from an recent article in the News & Observer by staff writer
Demorris Lee.
"Many of you, I'm sure, vowed to make a difference in your neighborhoods and communities this year. But the
thought of how to accomplish that while also working a full week makes your eyes cross. Well, there is a possible
remedy: How about joining your area Citizen Advisory Council?
There is no fee to join, and you will always be kept abreast of what's going on in your neighborhood - from rezonings
to traffic patterns to police patrols. Anytime there's a zoning issue in the neighborhood, for instance, all information
is forwarded to that area's CAC to be discussed by residents. Often, the developer of the proposed project is on
hand to answer any questions.
Once the matter has been deliberated, the CAC takes a vote and relays the results to the City Council during one
of its meetings. City and county officials are regulars at CAC meetings. At a recent Glenwood CAC session, a representative
from the Wake County Revenue Department was on hand to discuss property revaluation. Linda Johnston, Raleigh's
neighborhood service division director, who works with CACs, said being active in one of the groups provides a
"wonderful opportunity for citizens to be a part of the process of how they want their city to look."
Raleigh has 18 geographically located CACs. Six of them fall in North Raleigh: Falls of Neuse Community, North
Community, North East Community, North West/Umstead Community (includes Umstead State Park), Six Forks Community
and Glenwood Community. (West CAC includes lands around the arena).
CACs are the only advisory bodies of city government whose members are not appointed by the City Council. The chairman
and vice chairman are elected from the membership of each CAC. Every CAC also distributes a monthly newsletter
to keep residents abreast of community issues.
A simple phone call to the city's Community Services Department at 831-6100 (will get you added to the mailing
list for your CAC and be sent agendas)."
Editor's note: Two CAC's cover issues related to Umstead State Park. You can show up at any meeting. If you live
in the area covered by the CAC, you are a voting member.
Joe Hall, Co-Chairperson Northwest/Umstead CAC summarizes the essence of the CAC:
"This is a volunteer community effort to keep citizens connected with pending rezoning cases on the neighborhood
level - this organization is the first place you'll hear about major changes that affect you."
The Northwest/Umstead CAC covers land use issues for the neighborhoods surrounding Umstead State Park and other
areas in North Raleigh (Wade Ave. to Creedmoor Rd). Meets 2nd Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at NW Raleigh Service Center
(police substation-next to Winn-Dixie at Pleasant Valley Shopping Center, 6544 Glenwood Ave.) (http://www.ncneighbors.com/156/)
Co-Chairpersons: Joe Hall (787-5235) and Dan Saylor (844-5252)
The West CAC covers the lands on the south side of I-40 / Wade Avenue that include the arena area (and 159 acres
NCSU has for sale). Meets 4th Tuesdays 7 p.m. at Powel Drive Park/Community Center (740 Powell Drive, turn south
off Western Blvd by K-Mart.). Chairman: Ted Shear ).
The area is bounded on the north by Wade Ave. Extension, on the east by the 440 Beltline, on the south by Western
Blvd/Hillsborough St., and on the west by I-40 (includes the new Entertainment and Sports Arena and the NCSU 159
acres for sale).
The City of Raleigh, in partnership with Vision 2020 - a citizens group interested in creating a vision for the
City of Raleigh - is working on a small area plan for the area. This means that they will look at all sorts of
issues - zoning, traffic, environmental impact - and more.
The City will hold a series of workshops looking for input from folks about the plan. This will be a very important
process. The groundwork that is laid now will essentially guide Raleigh's growth in the Western part of town for
generations.
All workshops in Phase 1 will take place in the library of Cardinal Gibbons High School,1401 Edwards Mill Road
from 5 pm to 7 pm.
June 15: regional perspectives
June 28: land use & zoning
July 13: State of N. C. plans
July 27: roads
Aug. 10: utilities
Aug. 24: parks, recreation & greenways
Sept. 7: pedestrian, bike, and transit
Sept. 21: environmental and ecological matters
Oct. 5: urban form and appearance
Phase 2 will take place in October & November. The Planning Dept. and the Planning Commission will conduct
interviews with various stakeholders.
Phase 3 will occur on December 7 and 8 using a facilitator and Planning Dept staff. During this 2 day workshop participants will help develop scenarios that will best achieve the objectives gleaned from the summer workshops and interviews.
Phase 4: The Planning Dept. will prepare a small area plan to be presented at a public hearing early in 2001.
James Brantley is guiding this process and can be reached at 890-3675 if you have questions. His email address is brantleyj@altavista.net
Please call the Park Visitor Center at 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. MORE PROGRAMS WILL BE ADDED. PLEASE LOG ONTO PARK WEBSITE FOR CURRENT
INFORMATION:
http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/wium.html
July 16th 2:00pm : WORLD WAR II AT CAMP CRABTREE
During World War II, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camp was used by the U.S. military to provide recreation
to foreign sailors while their ships were being repaired. Come look at some photographs of this era. The slide
show starts in the Visitor Center Auditorium at 2:00pm and lasts approximately 45 minutes.
July 22nd 10:00am : FROM FIELD TO FOREST
Meet a Ranger at the Bike and Bridle Trail Head at 10:00am for this1 ½ hour program. Bring your binoculars
if you have them and hike through areas of William B. Umstead State Park to learn about its history. Please call
571-4170 reservations.
July 22nd 1:00pm : LUNCH HIKE WITH A RANGER
Join a Ranger at 1:00pm at the Oak Rock Trail Head parking area for a short hike to discuss nature and William
B. Umstead State Park. This program will last approximately 1 hour.
July 22nd 3:00pm : ROT SQUAD
Join a Ranger at the Oak Rock Trail Head parking lot at 3:00pm. This 1 hour program will be a short hike down Oak
Rock Trail to discuss how a forest recycles itself.
July 23rd 1:00pm : ROT SQUAD
Join a Ranger at the Oak Rock Trail Head parking lot at 1:00pm. This 1 hour program will be a short hike down Oak
Rock Trail to discuss how a forest recycles itself.
August 5th 7:00pm : GOING BATTY
Join a Park Ranger at the Reedy Creek parking lot where we will talk about bats, some of the habits, and what different
types we have in the park. This program will last 1 hour.
August 12th 2:00pm : SNAKES ALIVE!
Join a Ranger for a video and visuals that will help in identifying the snakes that can be found in the park and
in the area. The program will last 1 hour and will be held in the Visitor Center.
August 13th 2:00pm : BIRDS OF PREY
Join a Ranger for a live demonstration on the Redtail hawk. Meet at the Visitor Center for this 1 ½ hour
program. Please call 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
August 26th 1:00pm : LOST!
Join a Ranger for a hike and a discussion on what to do if you become lost in the woods. Dress for the weather
and bring your questions and experiences. Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium for this 1 hour program.
August 27th 1:00pm : LOST!
Join a Ranger for a hike and a discussion on what to do if you become lost in the woods. Dress for the weather
and bring your questions and experiences. 1 hour program in Visitor Center.
September 9th 8:00am : PADDLING ON BIG LAKE
Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely, morning canoe trip on Big Lake and enjoy nature from the water's edge. Meet
at the large parking lot above Big Lake for this 2 hour program. Dress for the weather. Reservations are required
for this program, so call 571-4170 or stop by the Visitor Center to be added to the reservation list. Children
under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets, paddles, and canoes are provided.
September 10th 1:00pm : LOST!
Join a Ranger for a hike and a discussion on what to do if you become lost in the woods. Dress for the weather
and bring your questions and experiences. Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium for this 1 hour program. Please
call 571-4170 for reservations.
September 16th 10:00am : FALL BLOOMS
Join a Ranger for a slide show of common fall wildflowers and a 1-2 mile hike to find them. Bring a wildflower
book if you have one and your hiking shoes. Meet at the Visitor Center for this 1 hour program. Please call 571-4170
for reservations.
September 16th 1:00pm : BEAVER HIKE
Join a Ranger for a guided hike to discuss one of nature's engineers. You'll see signs of the beaver's presence
at William B. Umstead State Park and learn more about their habits and habitats. Meet at the large parking lot
above Big Lake for this 1 hour program. Please call 571-4170 for reservations.
September 16th 6:30pm : WILDLIFE HIKE
Join a Ranger for a hike along our trails to locate and spot wildlife. Meet at the Reedy Creek parking lot for
this 1 hour program. Please call 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
October 14th 8:00am : PADDLING ON BIG LAKE
Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely, morning canoe trip on Big Lake and enjoy nature from the water's edge. Meet
at the large parking lot above Big Lake for this 2 hour program. Dress for the weather. Reservations are required
for this program, so call 571-4170 or stop by the Visitor Center to be added to the reservation list. Children
under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets, paddles, and canoes are provided.
October 15th 1:00pm : CREATURE FEATURE
Come to the Visitor Center and join a Ranger to learn about the wildlife that inhabit the park. Mounted specimens
will be shown. Please call 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
October 21st 9:00am : BIG LAKE WILDLIFE
Join a Park Ranger for a morning canoe trip on Big Lake to observe wildlife. Meet at the boat house for 1 ½
hour program. Dress for the weather. Reservations are required for this program, so call 571-4170 or stop by the
Visitor Center to be added to the reservation list. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets,
paddles, and canoes provided.
November 12th 1:00pm : DISCOVERY HIKE
Join a Ranger for a leisurely hike to discover the sights and sounds of William B. Umstead State Park. Meet in
the picnic area by the large parking lot off the Glenwood Avenue/Hwy 70 entrance. Please call 571-4170 for more
information and reservations.
November 18th 8:00am : PADDLING ON BIG LAKE
Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely, morning canoe trip on Big Lake and enjoy nature from the water's edge. Meet
at the large parking lot above Big Lake for this 2 hour program. Dress for the weather. Reservations are required
for this program, so call 571-4170 or stop by the Visitor Center to be added to the reservation list. Children
under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets, paddles, and canoes are provided.
November 25th 10:00am : BIRDING FOR THE YOUNG
Parents, bring your children to learn about the feathered creatures of William B. Umstead State Park. Meet the
Ranger at the Visitor Center for this 1 hour program. Please call 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
December 16th 9:30am : PARK HIKE
Hike with a Ranger to hopefully observe wildlife and take about the history of William B. Umstead State Park. Meet
at the Bike and Bridle trailhead for this 1 ½ hour program.
December 17th 8:00am : PREPARING FOR WINTER
See how plants, trees and animals are preparing for winter. Join a Ranger at the Visitor Center for this 1 hour
hike. Please call 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
December 30th 12:00 Noon : AFTER CHRISTMAS HIKE
Hike away those holiday calories. Join a Ranger for a leisurely walk and learn about some of the park's interesting
features. Meet at the Visitor Center for this 1 hour hike.
For information on where and when to meet, call the activity leader listed. Activities are free; as activity
leader about brining dogs, children. Note: For all Rod Broadbelt's hikes, bring lunch and water; call 363-6611
before 8:00 p.m. for details.
July 15 12-mile hike on blazed trails and bridle paths. Meet at Umstead Parking lot off Harrison Avenue
at 8:00 a.m. Bring lunch and water. For information: Rod Broadbelt 363-6611 before 8:00 p.m.
August 12 10-mile hike on blazed trails. For information: Rod Broadbelt 363-6611 before 8:00 p.m.
August 19 Annual Umstead Coalition Picnic. Members and non-members welcome. Come learn more about what the Umstead Coalition is all about and enjoy your Park! Pot luck, we will provide some hotdogs and drinks, etc. Meet at 1:00 p.m. at Picnic Shelter #1 at the Crabtree Creek Picnic area of Umstead State Park. Directions: enter Umstead State Park from the U.S. 70 (Glenwood Ave.) enterance, park in the large parking lot at the road's end, go up stairs, picnic shelter #1 is on the right. For more information: Tom Weber 463-0104.
September 16 14.5 Mile Hike to Lake Crabtree and back. Some off-trail. For information: Rod Broadbelt 363-6611
before 8:00 p.m.
September 16 Richland Creek "Big Sweep" Stream Watch. Meet 9:00 a.m. at Richland Lake on Reedy Creek Road (off Blue Ridge). For information: Richard Tibbs 468-8081 or Jean Spooner, 828-5859 (h).
December 2 Richland Creek Stream Watch. Help us monitor the health of Richland Creek. Meet 9:00 a.m.
at Richland Lake on Reedy Creek Road (off Blue Ridge). For information: Richard Tibbs 468-8081 or Jean Spooner,
828-5859 (h).
rev. 7/15/00