Capitol Area Greenway - Beaver Dam Trail Report 1

Beaver Dam Trail Report 1: The Trail 1.4 Miles of Bliss in Raleigh, N.C

Background:

For those visiting Raleigh and new residents of Raleigh should be aware of the wonderful park system and the “Capitol Area Greenway.”

The “Capitol Area Greenway” is a project in process. Started in March 1974 by the city council of Raleigh it has a master plan to make sure that there is open space for residents throughout the city. It is being built one trail, one park and one community area at a time.

Today the city boasts more than 50 miles of trails connecting many of the more than 3000 acres of city park land.

In 1996 Hurricane Fran badly damaged the parks and trails throughout the city. A clearing and rebuilding was required the years immediately following the storm. Today the city is well underway on its project to create links between the greenways and realize the original plan. Many of the trails are still to be connected, while those that are create wonderful off road access to many parts of the city for bikers, hikers and runners.

Beaver Dam Trail - Report 1

How to locate Beaver Dam Trail (Currently trail 2 on the Parks and Recreation list)

One end of Beaver Dam Trail is located at the corner of Wade Avenue and Dixie Trail just across Dixie Trail from the Hymettus Woods, a part of the Raleigh Parks System.

There is essentially no parking on streets at this end of the trail. One street up from Wade Avenue, on Grant Avenue, there is plenty of on street parking.

The other end of the trail is located at the corner of LakeBoone and Brooks Avenue. There is plenty of on street parking available on Brooks Avenue. This is probably a better place to park for this trail experience.

The Trail experience:

I started on this trail on the Wade Avenue; Dixie Trail end; not knowing how the trail or parking was configured.

The start point of this trail is essentially and absolutely not clear from this end of the trail. The large green sign that usually indicate the start of a trail was not exactly visible. If it exists the start point has been moved to somewhere different than the Parks and Recreation map indicates. (Current 2006 edition)