Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction 1
Project Overview 1
Previous Park Planning for the Project Area 3
Scope of Project 5
Neuse River Overview 5
Project Area 6
Neuse River Corridor Project Area 6
Milburnie Park and Anderson Point Park 6
Project Goals 7
Neuse River Corridor 7
Milburnie Park and Anderson
Point Park 8
Rationale for Project 9
Recreational Opportunities 9
Economic Benefits 10
Environmental Quality 12
Pace of Change in Project Area 12
Planning Process 13
Planning Approach 13
Master Plan Committee Meetings and
Actions 14
Inventory 17
Land Use and Public Policy 17
Current Land Use 17
Jurisdictional Issues 17
Zoning 18
Land Use Controls 18
Acquisition Tools 18
Transportation / Thoroughfare Plan 23
Utilities 25
Development Trends 26
Environmental Systems 26
Physiographic Context 26
Geology 27
River Character 28
Water Quality 28
Flood Plains 29
Vegetative Communities 30
Wetlands 31
Wildlife 32
Habitats and Species of Special Concern 33
Cultural Resources 35
Overview of Environmental Regulations 35
Existing Parks and Greenways:
Acquisition and Development 37
Milburnie Park and Anderson Point Park Sites 38
Inventory Summary 40
Analysis 41
Neuse River Corridor 41
Milburnie Park and Anderson Point Park 43
Milburnie Park 43
Anderson Point Park 43
Master Plan 45
Conceptual Framework 45
Greenway Corridor 46
Greenway Trail System 48
Neuse River Trail and Continuous Nature Trail 49
General Trail Design Criteria 51
Primary Trail 52
Secondary Trails 53
Nature Trails and Boardwalks 53
Bridges 53
Arrival Parks and Gateways 54
Arrival Parks 55
Gateways 58
Parkway Road System 59
Corridor Master Plan 60
Plan Foundation 60
Principal Elements 62
Flood Plain and Wetlands 63
Gateways 64
Arrival Parks 65
Falls Park 65
Hairpin Bend Park 65
Horseshoe Bend Park 66
Botanic Garden/Arrival Park Search Area 67
Milburnie Park 67
Anderson Point Park 68
Potential Park Land 68
Opportunity Sites 69
Existing Parks 69
Trail System 69
Special Places 70
Riverside/Parkside Drives 70
Corridor Crossings 71
Parkways 72
Master Plan Summary 72
Master Plans for Anderson Point Park and
Milburnie Park 74
Relationship to the River Corridor 74
Anderson Point Park Master Plan 74
Summary Site Description 74
Master Plan Summary 76
Master Plan Elements 76
Access and Parking 76
Entry Pavilion 77
Oak Grove 77
Multi-Use Building - Oak Grove 77
Gathering Garden 77
River Overlooks 78
Stone Overlook Terrace and Riverwalk 78
West Cross-Site Pathway 78
Fishing Pond 79
Picnic Shelters 79
Multi-Use Building - West Meadow 79
Central Lawn Area 79
Sculpture Terrace 80
Flood Plain Areas 80
The Confluence Point 81
Crabtree Creek Trail 81
Trail Network 81
Pump Station 82
Restrooms 82
Greenway Gateway North of Railroad 82
Greenway Trail Connections 82
Mitigation for Proposed Highway Corridor 83
Proposed Park Addition Northwest
of Railroad 85
Milburnie Park Master Plan 86
Milburnie West 86
Summary Site Description 86
Master Plan Summary 87
Master Plan Elements 87
Great Lawn 87
Riverside Terraces and Overlooks 87
Canoe Launch 88
Boathouse 88
Bridgers Lake 88
Bridgers Lake Picnic Shelter and Picnic Grove 89
Access and Parking 89
Children's Play Area 90
Special Use Facility 90
Field Sports 90
Future Community Center Site 90
Restaurant/Cafe Terrace 91
Inholdings 91
Milburnie East 91
Summary Site Description 91
Master Plan Summary 92
Master Plan Elements 92
Ropes Courses/Alpine Tower 92
Canoe Launch 93
Parking 93
Milburnie Park Area 93
Master Plan Elements 93
Pedestrian Bridge 93
Milburnie Dam 94
Raleigh Beach 94
Wetland Habitats 95
Milburnie - Anderson Point Corridor Master Plan 95
Corridor Description 95
Master Plan 97
Neuse River Trail - Design Recommendations 97
Trail Network 98
Canoe Run 98
Rogers Lane Wetlands 99
Intensive Use Areas 99
Neighborhood Connections 99
Project Summary 100
References and Bibliography 101