Press Releases

Today, Congressman Wiley Nickel (NC-13) announced over $17 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior for Wake County park projects in Garner and Raleigh. The funding comes through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) which was established in 2014 and funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

“I’m excited to announce over $17 million in federal funding for the development of these important projects in Garner and Raleigh,” said Congressman Wiley Nickel. “These projects make good use of our federal tax dollars by creating new outdoor recreation spaces and reinvigorating existing parks in our area. Doing so will benefit our communities and families, friends, and neighbors in Wake County for years to come.”

$8.5 million will help fund the Town of Garner’s Yeargan development project. This project supports Phase 1 of the 64-acre Yeargan Park plan and provides four multi-use sports fields, a path connecting the park to historic downtown Garner, a play area, large picnic shelter, restrooms, paved parking, utility work, and stormwater retention facilities.

Over $8.6 million will help fund the City of Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow Park implementation project. This project includes development of a natural and passive park, restoration of Pigeon House Branch and first-phase development of the Pigeon House Greenway Trail. Grant funding supports erosion control, stream restoration and wetland construction. It also supports construction of stormwater features, retaining walls, stream crossings, park amenities, public plazas, walkways, site furnishings, public art, and landscaping, including native meadows, woodlands, natural habitat and buffer plantings, ornamental landscape areas, and lawns.