Several weeks ago, I took my daughter Harper to our Horton Grove Nature Preserve in…
Exciting things are coming soon! On March 30, Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) will begin building a new parking area at Old Creedmoor, its eighth public nature preserve in the Triangle. This marks one of the final steps towards the preserve officially opening later this spring.
Purchased by TLC in 2020, Old Creedmoor has long been home to an unofficial trail system cherished by the community for the past 20 years. The now permanently protected 65-acre property in northern Wake County features around four miles of newly renovated and designed multi-use singletrack trail that will be open to hikers and non-motorized cyclists.
With the loss of several of the region’s beloved bike trails in recent years, the protection of Old Creedmoor Preserve ensures that this land will remain a community resource for generations to come. TLC is grateful for the generous support from the City of Raleigh Watershed Protection Program, Wake County Open Space Program, NC Great Trails State, the Caterpillar Foundation, Triangle Off Road Cyclists, and the Barnhill Foundation in making this project possible.
As final preparations wrap up, TLC is looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the Triangle to explore this beautiful preserve. Stay tuned on TLC’s Instagram, Facebook, and website for more information on the official preserve opening – expected towards the end of May. Until then, please refrain from using the trails during construction.
Why was the property protected?
Old Creedmoor was protected mainly for its water quality and habitat values. Since the property’s streams flow into Falls Lake – a vital source of the region’s drinking water – conserving this land was a priority for TLC. The 65-acre tract was originally planned to be a subdivision with over 40 homes. TLC was able to work with the developer to change plans and save the property.
The City of Raleigh and Wake County primarily funded the acquisition of the $1.6 million tract through their Watershed Protection Program and Open Space funds. Additional funding for acquisition was provided by the Barnhill Foundation to improve accessibility and add space for parking.
What will the trails at Old Creedmoor be like?
Visitors will enjoy two main trails totaling about four miles – Lizard's Tail Loop and Orbweaver Loop. In addition to the main trails, bikers can also try out alternate routes, with features like small jumps that offer more advanced routes to experience the preserve. TLC has partnered with Triangle Off-Road Cyclists on creating these. These trail splits will be clearly marked on trail posts at each intersection.
What level of difficulty are the trails?
Most of the trails were community built, so they do have slightly steeper grades and have more roots and rocks than TLC’s other multiuse trail systems at Brumley and Williamson Preserves. TLC considers the trails to be intermediate level.
Who built the trails?
The original trails on the property were built by community members over the past two decades. After acquiring the property, TLC worked to reroute trails in erosion-prone areas and add bridges to help further protect water quality. Triangle Off-Road Cyclists and the RTP chapter of Engineers Without Borders were key partners in this project.
Can we build more trails on the property?
No. TLC has a partnership with Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC) to manage the trails. Please do not add features or new routes.
Can we ride on the adjacent WRC managed land?
No. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) manages the adjacent land for hunting and wildlife habitat and does not allow bike access to their property. TLC is working with WRC to ensure that Old Creedmoor Preserve is compatible with their management objectives.
Note: Please take extra precautions – such as wearing orange – when walking or biking during hunting season. Though hunting is not allowed on Old Creedmoor Preserve, the neighboring WRC land is part of the NC Game Lands Program. Click here for more information about North Carolina’s hunting seasons which in general run from September through December and April through May.
Will Old Creedmoor’s trails operate similar to Brumley and Williamson Preserves?
Yes. Like TLC’s Brumley and Williamson Preserves, Old Creedmoor’s trails will close periodically when trails are too wet to prevent erosion and other damage. Visitors will be able to check trail status on our website or on partner websites such as TORC.
For more questions about Old Creedmoor Nature Preserve, please contact info@triangleland.org.
