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Phone: (505) 334-6565
Fax: (505) 334-8630
Address: 1425 Promise Beacon Circle, Raleigh, North Carolina 27610, United States
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A Gateway to Nature and Community

The Bailey Drive Gateway: Expanding Access to Green Space in Southeast Raleigh

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A Community-Driven Vision for Walnut Creek

The Bailey Drive Gateway at Walnut Creek Wetland Park is a transformative project aimed at increasing access to green spaces for Southeast Raleigh residents—particularly in the historically Black neighborhoods of Biltmore Hills and Rochester Heights. This initiative reflects the power of community-led planning and collaboration between organizations committed to environmental justice.


Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ) worked alongside The Conservation Fund (TCF), the City of Raleigh, the Walnut Creek Wetland Partnership, and the NC State Water Resources Research Institute to incorporate land near Bailey Drive into the Walnut Creek Wetland Park, ensuring that local voices shaped the project’s direction and design.

A Parks with Purpose Project

Connecting People to Nature and History

The Bailey Drive Gateway is part of Parks with Purpose, a program led by The Conservation Fund that focuses on equitable, community-led park development. The goal is to enhance the southern edge of Walnut Creek Wetland Park, making it more accessible while celebrating the rich history and culture of Rochester Heights and Biltmore Hills.



With direct funding from The Conservation Fund, this project will create a southern gateway to the park, providing new pedestrian and bicycle connections, environmental education opportunities, and cultural storytelling elements that honor the neighborhood’s legacy.

What the Bailey Drive Gateway Will Offer

This gateway will be more than an entrance—it will be a gathering space, a learning hub, and a cultural landmark for Southeast Raleigh. With input from community members, the project aims to:

Expand Access to Nature

Provide pedestrian and bicycle-friendly connections to Walnut Creek Wetland Park and the Walnut Creek Trail.

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Foster Environmental Education

Offer hands-on learning opportunities, interactive installations, and programming that connects people to the local ecosystem.

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Honor Local History & Culture

Create a space where the stories of Rochester Heights and Biltmore Hills are preserved through cultural and historical elements woven into the park’s design.

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FAQs About the Bailey Drive Gateway Project

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  • Why is the Bailey Drive Gateway important?

    It improves access to Walnut Creek Wetland Park for historically underserved communities while preserving local history and promoting environmental education.

  • Who is involved in making this project happen?

    The project is led by The Conservation Fund, in partnership with PEJ, the City of Raleigh, and the Walnut Creek Wetland Partnership.

  • How did the community shape this project?

    PEJ worked closely with local residents, gathering input to ensure that the park design reflects their needs, history, and vision for the future.

  • When will construction begin?

    With funding secured, the next steps include finalizing designs and beginning construction in alignment with community feedback.

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Reach out to learn more about visiting the wetlands or how you can support their continued restoration and preservation.

Have Questions or Want to Get Involved?

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