Gift to Expand Open Space in Granville County
CREEDMOOR – A generous land donation will enable Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) to preserve 83 acres along Smith Creek in southern Granville County. The property has been donated to TRLC in recognition of Earth Day, which falls on April 22.
The new conservation property adjoins a 158-acre tract purchased by TRLC in 2018. The combined 241-acre property will be managed by TRLC as the Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve.
This gift will ensure that the land remains permanently undeveloped. The property is a combination of hardwood and pine forest and marshy wetlands, which offer important refuge for waterfowl and water birds. A colony of great blue heron frequent the wetlands in this area.
In addition to wildlife benefits, the land donation will protect drinking water for downstream communities. The property has 0.6 miles of frontage on Smith Creek, which is one of several large Granville County streams that flows into the Falls Lake Reservoir. Falls Lake supplies drinking water to the City of Raleigh and six nearby communities.
“This land plus a significant financial contribution were gifted by Mark and Tara Rein of Raleigh. It is very timely,” noted Derek Halberg, TRLC Executive Director. “We plan to start building hiking trails on TRLC’s Horseshoe Road property this fall. This land donation will allow TRLC to expand our envisioned trail network for the public to explore and enjoy.”
Trail construction at the Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve is expected to begin in October 2021 and to be completed in time to open two miles of trails to the public in June 2022. TRLC will begin publicizing opportunities for the community to get involved with the project this summer. To receive notices about volunteer opportunities, individuals are encouraged to contact TRLC at volunteer@tarriver.org or 919-496-5902.
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