This Land, Your Land

Construction of additional parking and easier trail access at William B. Umstead State Park has begun with work near the Raleigh park's U.S. 70 entrance.

The initial phase of the project will add space for 50 vehicles near the visitor center, a news release says.

"At the Sycamore Bike and Bridle Trailhead, 18 equestrian parking spaces will be separated from a 46-space parking area for other users, and a one-way loop will be eliminated by widening the entrance road," the release says. "The trailhead will be linked to the multiuse trail system by a new, 1,000-foot trail section, and the mile-long gravel road leading to the trailhead will be upgraded with a smoother surface."

The work is to result in better access to the park’s multi-use trail system in the Graylyn Drive/Ebenezer Church Road area, where planners rejected proposals for a third park vehicle entrance.

Construction is expected to be completed in late December. The estimated price tag is $370,000.