PopUp sale for the Native Plants we have left and a few more. We'll be selling locally-grown, native flowers, shrubs and trees.
We will also have Umstead T-shirts, hats, and Garden Guides.
100% of all proceeds from the event go to support William B. Umstead State Park.
Location: We'll be set up in the grassy area on the right when you drive into the parking lot at the Harrison Ave, Cary entrance to Umstead State Park (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513).
Registration is not required, but will help us know how many to expect.
Pricing & plant list
Clustered Mountain Mint2 for $10
Postponed due to Court scheduling - we will post hearing date once assigned
Support for RDU Quarry Fight-Attend Hearing Zoning of the Odd Fellow Tract and Lake Crabtree
Wake County Superior Court
Wake County (old and tall) Court House Room 10C (10th floor) 316 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Date to be determined Hearing Day and time to be set at Calendar Call
The Odd Fellows Tract (and the 148 forested acres at Lake Crabtree County Park) was last zoned by Wake County Commissioners on March 1, 1982, to low-density residential (R-40, one residential unit per acre). In 1984, Wake County added a Highway Overlay to protect the forested lands along I-40. This zoning was upheld UNTIL the RDUAA signed a mineral lease with Wake Stone for a quarry—a prohibited use in Wake County R-40 zoning.
The Umstead Coalition asked Wake County to enforce its zoning, but the staff refused WITHOUT consulting the Wake County Commissioners. This eventually led to a hearing before the Wake County Board of Adjustments on July 9, 2024.
The RDUAA attorney argued that the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) was a ‘zoning’ document and that the RDUAA had complete authority to essentially void the Wake County Commissioners' decision. Wake County argued similarly, but clarified that this was a County staff decision (not the County Commissioners). The Umstead Coalition contends that the ALP is a "Planning Document," similar to the County or City's Comprehensive Plan, and not regulatory zoning. FAA procedures confirm that the ALP is a planning document. We further argued that Wake County still retains the authority to enforce it's R40 zoning.
The appointed Board of Adjustment struggled but ultimately ruled that the RDUAA could override Wake County zoning and rely on the ALP as a zoning document. Note: The RDUAA does have a “Height Zoning Ordinance” to protect aircraft from hazards. This ordinance, enacted in compliance with NC law, is valid but limited to structure height and lighting—e.g., aircraft and navigation hazards. It is also worth noting that Wake County’s zoning was enacted at the request of the RDUAA.
Current status: The Umstead Coalition filed an appeal in Wake County Superior Court. Wake Stone is not a party to our Appeal, but have filed a motion to Intervene; we expect that motion to be argued at the beginning of our Appeal Hearing.
We went to an April 28, 2025 Calendar Call at Wake County Superior Court expecting a Hearing same day or week. However, we were pushed due to other trials. The judges admin said she would try to find a Hearing date certain, but none has been assigned yet.
Join us in support (hearing date not yet set)
It is always good to have our supporters in the audience for the Hearing (yet to be scheduled).
What to expect: Here's what to expect if you attend the Hearing. Arrive at the courthouse early, go through security and take the elevator to the 10th floor, Court Room TBD. You can come and go from the court room, but can't talk while court is in session. Try to sit behind our attorneys during the Hearing (most likely on the right side).
A good option for parking is the Wake County Municipal Parking Deck 216 W. Cabarrus St., on the corners of Davie, McDowell and Cabarrus streets. It's about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the courthouse.
The 2025 “Photo Contest - Catch the Spirit of William B. Umstead State Park” Exhibit will feature photography of the Park, its structures and nature, so get out your cameras, pick out your best shots and submit an entry to our contest.
The submission deadline is June 29, 2025
Entries are limited to one per category.
1. Photo - Where are Your Footprints?
People doing Park activities, or evidence of people doing Park activities
2. Photo - Stories in Stone - Remnants and structures of the Park history
3. Photo- In the Wild - Flora (plants)
4. Photo - In the Wild - Fauna (animals)
5. Illustration - featuring or inspired by plants, animals, landscape or historic features within William B. Umstead State Park. Illustrations can be a simple sketch that could be used on a Park T-shirt or mug, full color drawings or paintings, and computer enhanced photographs. Art can be produced via hand or computer.
1. Adult. Age 17 and over
2. Youth. Age 16 and under
First, Second and Honorable Mention winners will receive the following:
Winners are encouraged to attend the exhibit reception, which is open to the public. The reception will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2-4pm.
Registration is available now. The deadline for submissions is June 29, 2025, 11:59pm. Be prepared to upload your photo with your registration (20MB file size limit). Please rename your entry as Please change file name to: "Entry Title, FirstName LastName". One entry per registration, you can submit only one entry for each of the 5 categories.
Photos must be taken in Umstead State Park to be eligible. Illustrations must be inspired by William B. Umstead State Park. Your photo can be taken at anytime, so you can take new photos or look through your treasure trove of past photos. Similarly, your illustration can be created anytime. See the contest rules and waiver here.
Download a PDF flyer of the event 2025 Umstead photo and illustration contests flyer.pdf.
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