Note, we are accepting volunteers for our April 21 "2001 Celebration for Umstead" event. Please e-mail:
volunteer@umsteadcoalition.org
We are excited to tell you that the land formally owned by the News and Observer in front of the entrance to
Umstead State Park is now officially part of William B. Umstead State Park. The dedication was held January 4,
2001. Keynote speakers included Phillip McKnelly, Director of NC State Parks; Bill Holman, Secretary of NC Department
of Environment and Natural Resources; Glen Lang, Mayor of Cary; Jean Spooner, Chair Umstead Coalition, and Representative
David Price, US Congressional 4th District. Bett Padgett sang "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie.
We like to thank all the partners, including the financial partners of the NC Park Trust Fund, NC DOT, and the
Town of Cary.
Many thanks to the NC Division of Parks and Recreation staff for making this happen! We also like to thank the
Umstead Coalition Partner organizations that have helped with this project over many years, several of which were
represented at the dedication.
-------------------------
The multi-use trails at William B. Umstead State Park will receive a major face list this summer. A surface that
will be more friendly to horse and bikes is being investigated. Also, the trails will be narrowed to 8' (12' when
emergency vehicle access is more likely, e.g., fire and ambulance) from the historic 24' width of the old road
beds.
The material being evaluated for the steeper trail sections is bottom ash from coal-fired power plants, mixed with
limestone. It is being used successfully in the New River State Park in Virginia.
Test sections of this material have been installed on the South Loop trail near Ebenezer Church Road. Check them
out!
On other sections, screening will probably be used. NCDOT has installed a few test sections on the trail near
Reedy Creek Lake.
A few months ago, the old Warehouse off the Multi-use trail near Reedy Creek Park Road and Trenton Road was removed.
We are happy to see this building go. This facility was an eyesore and did not fit into the historic character
of William B. Umstead State Park.
The building had been used as a supply storage facility for the entire state park system (e.g., toilet paper).
A new facility has been built at Jordan Lake.
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The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and the Town of Cary are currently evaluating the long
rang Transportation Plans for Wake County and Cary, respectively.
Some roads detrimental to Umstead State Park are included in the roads being studied. These 'bad' roads include:
What YOU can do (action items):
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Many visitors to Umstead State Park do not know that the area was once a farming community. Former community resident
Buck Haley recalls the following incident, which took place near the intersection of Graylyn Drive and the main
bridle trail.
"The first five hundred dollars I saved I bought me a good horse named Scout, and kept it where the Dickinsons
had a barn," says Buck Haley. "About my age there was a pretty blonde girl, Dorothy Dickinson, and she
sat on the porch and I had that buckskin horse, he was tough. I was going to show her how fast I could ride by.
Anyway, it was kind of wet, raining. I brought Scout to the top of the hill and opened him wide open. But then
Scout turned... and when he turned he fell. That horse fell on me and the only thing that saved me was it was
real soft and wet and sloppy there. I just eat that dirt up. And talk about people seeing stars, man, I saw moons
when that horse sat on me. It weren't a very big horse, neither, but just hit so hard I see right now like balls
of fire it hit."
- contributed by Tom Weber, author, Stories In Stone
Coconut Creek, Fla. - In a bold expansion of the Umstead Coalition Newsletter's news bureau, former co-editor Tom
Weber has become the publication's first almost-foreign correspondent, reporting on North Carolina wildlife and
Umstead State Park history from south Florida. His library of North Carolina natural and cultural history books
will provide source material.
The new satellite office, located between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, was created after the former co-editor
moved to be with his fiancée Reesa Jacobson, who so ably served in the Umstead Coalition's tent at Cary's
Lazy Daze festival this past fall, according to UCN Florida bureau chief Weber.
Weber is enjoying his new natural environment, he says, but he misses the thousands of acres of rolling terrain
Umstead State Park offers.
"I sure do miss walking Umstead's trails," Weber says. "Triangle residents should be aware how
privileged they are to have a large nature preserve to visit, with miles of trails to wander along."
Weber says there are many parks and nature preserves in the immediate vicinity of his new Florida home, but they
are in relatively small pockets, due to dense urban development.
In fact, Weber's new living quarters are beside a lovely pond with the forested edge of a county park on the opposite
shore. He observes egret-like birds along the pond edges and flocks of soaring hawk-like birds overhead. He enjoys
sitting by the pond watching nature work.
He had an amusing introduction to one of the pond's residents.
"The first day I sat down by the pond edge I looked up and about ten feet in front of me there was a little
water mammal's head sticking up out of the pond looking at me with an expression saying, 'What are you doing here?',"
Weber says. The creature submerged and came up about twenty feet away. "He turned around and looked at me
again with the same expression."
Weber says that in all his years hiking in Umstead Park, he never saw a water mammal.
Weber is not so enthusiastic about meeting another possible neighborhood pond resident in Florida.
"I was walking along the shore one day and I saw a sign that said, 'Beware of alligator.' It turns out that
a small gator had been sighted in the pond some time back," Weber says.
Another pleasant nature area near Weber's new home is a municipal park with an 800 foot wooden boardwalk through
a mangrove forest.
"Because the vegetation in Florida is so dense and the ground is often mucky, maintaining forest trails is
impractical," Weber says. "The boardwalk allows me to spend time enveloped in greenery, the way I used
to be in Umstead State Park. I need that," Weber says.
In mostly flat Florida, Weber misses Umstead Park's hills.
"As I drove into a county park I saw a green, grassy hill in the distance. I excitedly asked a ranger if
any hiking trails went there. He said, 'No, that's the county dump.'"
Lest you begin to feel too sorry for your hiking-restricted former co-editor, it should be added that Weber's new
home is five miles from the ocean where, to paraphrase comedian Steven Wright, his new seashell collection stretches
for miles.
- Umstead Coalition Newsletter Florida Bureau Chief Tom Weber
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March for Parks is the nation's largest grassroots event for parks and open spaces, and the longest-running annual
nationwide Earth Day event. Events are organized by local environmental, school, youth, business and other citizen
groups who "adopt" parks in their communities. The "2001 Celebration for Umstead" is a March
for Parks event.
One hundred percent of the proceeds raised at individual events stays at the local level to fund park projects
identified by local volunteers, called "March Partners." The most common type of March for Parks fundraising
event is a walk in which marchers raise pledges based on the distance they cover. However, partners are not limited
to a walk event. March Partners in the past have held runs, outdoor festivals, heritage tours, auctions, and tournaments.
Citizens have repaired existing trails, developed foreign language brochures, and bought equipment and land for
new community parks.
March for Parks creates awareness and encourages active participation in finding solutions to threats to our parks
and the surrounding environment. March for Parks empowers citizens by educating them on environmental issues and
by showing how they can overcome present-day situations that threaten the future of our parks.
For more than 80 years, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has worked to give people the information
and tools they need to protect our National Parks. With your help, hundreds of events organized nationwide will
raise money and awareness for park projects that could not otherwise be completed.
http://www.eparks.org/take_action/march_for_parks/
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Folks have been asking What do the "NO PARKING" signs along Reedy Creek Park Road and Trenton Road near
the Umstead Park gate mean? - why did they appear? and where can I park? Here's what we've been able to find out.
Bottom line: it's not a good idea to park within about 75 feet of the corner at Reedy Creek Park Road and Trenton
Road and never park in front of Park gates.
Umstead State Park maintains parking lots within Park property for visitors off of I-40 at Harrison Avenue and
off of US70. However, Park staff does not have jurisdiction regarding parking along public streets. EXCEPT, the
Park does have enforcement jurisdiction to prevent parking immediately in front of the gates - to maintain access
for emergency fire and safety vehicles.
NC DOT (NC Department of Transportation) placed these signs along the road. They were trying to help fix a safety
problem. Unfortunately, the signage was a surprise to most people, including the Park personnel and The Umstead
Coalition.
There is a safety and maintenance problem when cars park along the road close to the corner. NC DOT road-grading
vehicles that maintain the gravel sections of Reedy Creek Park and Trenton Roads cannot negotiate the corner safely
unless it is clear of cars. In addition, the larger NCSU farm vehicles have a problem getting around the corner
when cars are parked near the corner.
We have suggested that NCDOT move the signs to within 75 feet of the corner to better address their real concern
and to serve as a better informational guide to the public regarding the where they can and can't park. Unfortunately,
NCDOT does not access to signs that say "No parking from here to corner" to clarify the intention of
the signs, but they have said they will move them closer to the corner and closer together.
Additionally, NCDOT is evaluating placement of "No Parking" signs to address safety concerns from off-street
parking at Graylyn Road.
These side entrances to Umstead State Park are open to the public during Park hours, but you may have to walk a
little farther to access them due to safety concerns along our public streets.
-------------------------
2001 Statewide Conference
N.C. Center for Nonprofits:
Building Capacity: Our Nonprofits and Our Sector
When: October 25-26, 2001
Where: Adam's Mark Hotel, Charlotte, NC
Information: (919) 790-1555, ext. 100
www.ncnonprofits.org
nccenter@aol.com
-------------------------
Eno Festival
June 30, July 1, July 4
(Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday)
10 am -7 pm each day
at West Point on the Eno, Durham City Park.
For information on the Festival for the Eno call 477-4549, or see the Eno River Association web site, www.enoriver.org.
Parking: Durham County Stadium (Air conditioned bus ride to Park)
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Mission Statement of the North Carolina State Park System
The North Carolina state parks system exists for the enjoyment, education, health and inspiration of all our citizens
and visitors. The mission of the state parks system is to conserve and protect representative examples of the
natural beauty, ecological features and recreational resources of statewide significance; to provide outdoor recreational
opportunities in a safe and healthy environment; and to provide environmental education opportunities that promote
stewardship of the state's natural heritage.
We welcome John Mark Ritter, Office Assistant for William B. Umstead State Park Visitor Center. John just retired
from the U.S. Navy after 20 years. He was a Hospital Corpsman Medical Administrative Technician. His last service
duty station was 2D Marine Division 6th Reg., 6th Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC. When asked about his new job, John
said "I love working out in nature. The staff at Umstead State Park are great people and it is a nice place
to work."
We offer our gratitude and best wishes to Tom Wells, Superintendent of State Parks, who retired January 6, 2001.
Tom has been a key person in helping the NC Park system. For example, he was instrumental in the establishment
of the NC Park Trust Fund. Before the NC Park Trust Fund, NC had one of the poorest funded state park systems
in the country.
We welcome Lewis Ledford who is the new Superintendent of State Parks, NC Department of Environment and Natural
Resources. Lewis has 23 years with NC State Parks. Early in his career, he was a ranger at William B. Umstead
State Park. He was promoted from West District Superintendent and will report directly to the Dr. McKnelly, Director
of NC Division of Parks and Recreation. His office is in the Archdale Building. He has said that one of his short-term
goals is to put the reservation system for park facilities (e.g., camp grounds, picnic shelters) on the Internet.
We also welcome Charlie Peek, the new Public Information Officer for NC State Parks. He also works in the Archdale
Building. He is the person behind the scenes putting together "The Steward" newsletter for NC State
Parks and getting the word out when great things happen in our Parks such as new lands at William B. Umstead State
Park. Charlie Peek, 49, is a native of North Carolina and has spent more than 20 years as a reporter, editor and
photographer for several newspapers in the state. As a bureau chief for the Winston-Salem Journal in the early
1990s, he wrote a series of articles about efforts to protect the New River and a series about the parks system.
He and his wife Martha Quillin, a reporter for the News and Observer, live in Sanford.
Please call the Park Visitor Center at 571-4170 for more information and reservations.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. MORE PROGRAMS WILL BE ADDED. PLEASE LOG ONTO PARK WEBSITE FOR
CURRENT INFORMATION:
http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/wium.html.
Sat . February 17th: WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - 9:00 a.m.
Gather at the Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. for this 1 1/2- to 2-hour program. You will hike off-trail through the
ridges and valleys of William B. Umstead State Park exploring the wilder side of the park. Bring binoculars if
you have them, wear good hiking boots and proper clothing, and bring water to drink. No pets are allowed on this
program and the hike will be moderate to strenuous.
Sun. February 18th: BIRDS OF PREY - 1:00 p.m.
Come join a ranger and learn about birds of prey at William B. Umstead State Park. A falconer will have live specimens
on hand. Meet at the Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. for this 1 1/2-hour program.
Sat. February 24th: WOODS WANDER - noon
Join a Ranger for a short hike that will take you on- and off-trail to discuss natural forest processes and wildlife
habitat. Meet at the Visitor Center at noon for this program, which will last approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Sat. March 3rd: MILLIN' AROUND - 2:00 p.m.
Join a Ranger at 2:00 p.m. at the Reedy Creek parking lot for an approximately 2-mile round-trip hike to the Company
Mill site. On the way we will talk about the park history, mills in the park, and their importance. This program
will last approximately 1 hour.
Sat. March 10th: LOST! - 1:00 p.m.
Join a Ranger for a hike and discussion on what to do if you become lost in the woods. Dress for the weather and
bring your questions and experiences. Meet at the Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. for this 1-hour program.
Sun. March 11th: BUDS, BRANCHES AND BARK - WINTER TREE IDENTIFICATION - 2:00 p.m.
With the leaves gone, learn to recognize some characteristics used to identify common trees in the forest.
Meet at the Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. for this program, which will last approximately 1 hour. Dress for the weather.
Sun. March 18th: BUDS, BRANCHES AND BARK - WINTER TREE IDENTIFICATION - 2:00 p.m.
With the leaves gone, learn to recognize some characteristics used to identify common trees in the forest. Meet
at the Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. for this program, which will last approximately 1 hour. Dress for the weather.
Sat. March 24th: SNAKES ALIVE - 10:00 a.m.
Learn about snakes in North Carolina, and see how important they are in our environment. Even if you dislike snakes,
come and learn to appreciate them. Meet in the Visitor Center Auditorium at 10:00 a.m. for this 1-hour program.
Sat. March 31st: PARK HIKE - 11:00 a.m.
Meet at 11:00 a.m. at the Crabtree section's large picnic area parking lot for a leisurely hike to learn about
the flora and fauna along Sal's Branch Trail. This program will last approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Sun. April 1st: APRIL FOOLS - 1:30 p.m.
Meet a ranger at 1:30 p.m. in the Reedy Creek Parking Lot for a guided hike. We will be taking about, and hopefully
seeing, many of the "Spring Fools" - animals getting ready for the coming spring and summer. This hike
and talk will last between 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Sun. April 1st: BIRDING FOR THE YOUNG - 2:00 p.m.
Kids, do you want to get started in the field of birding, or do you know more about birds and birding? Bring mom
or dad to this program and learn about our feathered friends. Meet at the Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. for this
1-hour program. Children must be accomplished a by an adult.
Sat April 7th: WOODS WANDER -- Noon
Join a ranger for a short hike that will take you on- and off-trail to discuss natural forest processes and wildlife
habitat. Meet at the Visitor Center at noon for this program, which will last approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Sun. April 15th: MILLIN' AROUND - 1:00 p.m.
Join a Ranger at 1:00 p.m. at the Visitor Center for this 2 hour program. Walk around the exhibit hall with a
ranger to learn about the importance of grist mills to the House Creek and Ebenezer community. Then hike to George
Lynn mill site on Sycamore Creek trail.
Sun April 22nd: BIRDS OF PREY - 2:00 p.m.
Come join a ranger and learn about different birds of prey at William B. Umstead State Park. A falconer will have
live specimens on hand. Meet at the Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. for this 1 1/2-hour program.
Sat. May 5th: LOST! - 1:00 p.m.
Join a Ranger for a hike and discussion on what to do if you become lost in the woods. Dress for the weather and
bring your questions and experiences. Meet at the Visitor Center at 1:00 p.m. for this 1-hour program.
-------------------------
For information on where and when to meet, call the activity leader listed. Activities are free; as activity
leader about brining dogs, children.
February 17 (Saturday) 20 Mile Hike, all on blazed trails. Hike starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Reedy Creek
Entrance parking lot off I-40 (Harrison Ave. exit. Bring lunch and water; call 363-6611 before 8:00 p.m. for details
on hike.
March 3 (Saturday) Richland Creek Stream Watch. Meet 9:00 a.m. at Richland Lake on Reedy Creek Road (off
Blue Ridge). For information: Richard Tibbs 787-4387 or Jean Spooner, 828-5859 (h).
March 17 (Saturday) Wilderness Hike. 5 to 6 hours, mostly off-trail. Wear sturdy hiking boots and long
pants. Meet 8:00 a.m. on Ebenezer Church Road next to Crabtree Creek bridge (just downhill from J&H Stables).
Bring lunch and water. For information: Rod Broadbelt 363-6611 before 8:00 p.m.
April 7 (Saturday) 13.5 Mile Hike, Carter Finley Stadium and Back. Hike starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Reedy
Creek Entrance parking lot off I-40 (Harrison Ave. exit. Bring lunch and water; call 363-6611 before 8:00 p.m.
for details on hike.
April 14 (Saturday) Work Day for 2001 Celebration for Umstead. Call Greg Lytle at 481-1707 to volunteer.
April 21 (Saturday) 2001 Celebration for Umstead. Fund-raising walk in Umstead State Park, a family celebration
with music, food, and environmental exhibits. UC Voice Mail 852-2268; Jean Spooner 828-5859; Greg Lytle at 481-1707
to volunteer.
May 12 (Saturday) International Migratory Bird Day. One day count that happens through out the Americas.
Bird counts will include Umstead State Park. The data collected will be used in the national data base housed
at Pautauxent National Bird Laboratory, MD. No experience necessary, binoculars suggested. Teams of counters will
be lead by an experienced birder. Wake County Audubon sponsors this local event. Be one of tens of thousands
in the Americas that will participate in this Scientific Social event. Contact John Connors to be assigned to
a team at 755-0283 (h).
May 26 (Saturday) General Nature Hike with District Naturalist with NC State Parks. Meet 9 a.m. at the
Visitor Center parking lot (off US 70). For info call Tom Howard at 556-7494 (h) or 846-9991(w).
June 2 (Saturday) Richland Creek Stream Watch. Help us monitor the health of Richland Creek. Meet 9:00
a.m. at Richland Lake on Reedy Creek Road (off Blue Ridge). For information: Richard Tibbs 787-4387 or Jean
Spooner, 828-5859 (h).
June 16 (Saturday) Butterflies of Summer. Approximately 2 hour hike. Call for time and location. John
Connors 755-0253 (h). (10 a.m. to 12 at Visitor Center).
September 15 (Saturday) BIG SWEEP. Richland Creek Stream Watch. Help us clean-up Richland Creek. Meet
9:00 a.m. at Richland Lake on Reedy Creek Road (off Blue Ridge). For information: Richard Tibbs 787-4387 or
Jean Spooner, 828-5859 (h).
December 1 (Saturday) Richland Creek Stream Watch. Help us monitor the health of Richland Creek.
Meet 9:00 a.m. at Richland Lake on Reedy Creek Road (off Blue Ridge). For information: Richard Tibbs 787-4387
or Jean Spooner, 828-5859 (h).
Umstead Coalition t-shirts are on sale at the Park Visitor Center, off US 70.
The t-shirts for sale say: "William B. Umstead State Park" rather than "Umstead Festival" as
shown here. Original T shirt artwork by Uli Gratzl; Umstead State Park update by Bill & Dana Bayley.
rev. 3/3/01