MAY 2023

It's Longleaf Celebration month!

We love Longleaf Pine so much that we thought it fitting to celebrate it for an entire month! Join us for an array of in-person and virtual opportunities throughout the month of May as we honor our favorite tree and the ecosystem it supports!

To register for any program below, click on the program title.

To view all of our Longleaf Celebration happenings, including some special storytime videos and activities you can enjoy at home, visit the event page.

Saturday, May 6 - Monday, May 29 during open park hours:

StoryWalk®: The Story of Pinus Palustris: A Longleaf Growing-Up Story

We are thrilled to offer "The Story of Pinus Palustris: a Longleaf Growing-Up Story", written by Margarete Shearin Cumberland and illustrated by Lizzie Tucker, as our StoryWalk® selection this month! A huge thank you to our friends at Carvers Creek State Park whose generous donation of this book made our StoryWalk® possible! We hope you enjoy the tale of best friends Pal and Ari who have special adaptations which allow them to share the Longleaf Pine forest.

This self-guided StoryWalk® can be found along the paved trails in our Day Use area starting at the traditional playground.

Thursday, May 11; 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Kids Discover Nature - The Busy Tree

Explore the wonderful world of trees with park staff! Together we will read The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward, a sweet story about the many creatures that make their home in trees. Participants will sing songs, make a craft, and take a hike to search for different types of trees in the park. Don’t miss it!

Meet at the Cypress Shelter. For ages 2-5 with accompanying adult.

Saturday, May 13; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Longleaf Forest Wagon Tours

As part of our Longleaf Celebration, come out to Harris Lake County Park for a guided wagon tour to our 60-acre Longleaf forest and walk among our beautiful Longleaf Pines! Learn about their special history to the area and the ecology of the Longleaf forest ecosystem, including the importance of prescribed fire. See new growth and the progression of 30 acres of our forest after a prescribed burn in February! Rides will be narrated by Sarah Crate of The Longleaf Alliance and our own Park Manager, Christina Hester. Arrive early to enjoy a picnic lunch. While you wait for your wagon ride, say hi to Smokey Bear, visit the N.C. Forest Service table for fun giveaways, and discover more about Longleaf Pines and the ecosystem they support through interactive educational displays and activities. Fun for all ages! Choose the time slot that suits your schedule! Meet at the wagon near the playground.

Wednesday, May 17; 1 - 2 p.m.: Virtual: Bringing Back Longleaf

Sarah Crate, Outreach Communications Coordinator for The Longleaf Alliance, will present “Bringing Back Longleaf”. The Longleaf Alliance works to ensure the sustainable future for longleaf ecosystems across the Southeast. Join the lecture to learn more about the longleaf ecosystem and what longleaf restoration looks like in North Carolina. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants in advance of the program.

Friday, May 19; 6 - 8 p.m.: Vehicle Venture

Come out to Harris Lake County Park for a vehicle extravaganza with a special focus on fire equipment! See a bulldozer used by the NC Forest Service during prescribed burns, a fire engine from the Apex Fire Department, the park's John Deere tractor, and cool off with a quick spray from our small pumper unit! Meet our special guest, Woodsy Owl, and test your aim with our flame shoot game! Drop in anytime from 6-8 p.m. in our Day Use area near the large playfield. No preregistration required.

Wednesday, May 24; 7 - 7:45 p.m.: Virtual Wild Wednesday: Longleaf Forest Friends

Take a look at the animals that live in the Longleaf Forest. Reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds of all kinds make their homes in the forest, and we will discover the ways they use this special habitat’s features for food and shelter.

OTHER MAY PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Programs at Harris Lake County Park

Meetup Hike at Harris

Tuesday, May 23; 6 - 7:30 p.m.

For all ages

It's the #YearoftheTrail and you're invited to join us for a hike! Park staff will lead a casual hike along a portion of the Peninsula Trail and one of our access roads into our Longleaf area, a total distance of about 3 miles. Natural wonders abound here at the park, and you'll also get to see regrowth and succession after a prescribed burn. Bring a water bottle, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to explore! Registration is required for all participants and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the wooden kiosk at the start of the Peninsula Trail.

Programs at the

American Tobacco Trail

Meetup Hike at the ATT

Friday, May 12; 10 - 11:30 a.m.

For all ages

It's the #YearoftheTrail, and you're invited to join us for a hike! Join park staff on a casual hike from the New Hill trailhead to the Beaver Creek bridge and back, a total distance of about 1.5 miles. We'll linger on the bridge to observe the natural sights around us in this beautiful area. Bring a water bottle, wear comfortable shoes, and get ready to explore!

Meet at the New Hill parking area at the picnic table near the comfort station (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.)

O is for Opossum

Tuesday, May 23; 6 - 7 p.m.

For all ages

There is much more than meets the eye when it comes to our State Marsupial! You’ll learn what makes them unique and important, practice playing ‘possum and get to see a real opossum mount up close.

Meet at the New Hill parking area at the lower picnic table (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.)

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

TAYLOR TRUELOVE

PARK AIDE OF MAINTENANCE

Q: How long have you worked for Wake County Parks?

A: Since December 2022

Q: What is your favorite part of working at HLCP and the ATT? Why?

A: My favorite part working at HCLP and ATT is exploring the trails, seeing the different animals, and working outdoors with my hands.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: The Harry Potter series as well as the books.

Q: Who or what influenced you to work in this field?

A: I have always enjoyed the outdoors and when looking for a new career path, the job seemed right up my alley.

Q: What is your favorite plant or animal at HLCP or the ATT? Why?

A: I recently saw the piebald deer at that park and I will say that animal is my favorite due to it being unique and rare.

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES

We are highlighting some special anniversaries this month!

On May 17, Park Manager Christina Hester will celebrate her 24-year anniversary at HLCP and the ATT! Wow! Congratulations, Christina!

On May 20, Assistant Manager of Education Joanne St. Clair marks her 10-year anniversary at HLCP and the ATT!

Mike Richardson has been in his role as full-time Park Technician of Maintenance since May 3, 2021. Congratulations, Mike!

UPCOMING EVENTS

HARRIS LAKE COUNTY PARK

Smile More, Complain Less 5K

Saturday, May 6

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Raven Rock Ramble

Sunday, May 7

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

___________

Heads Up: Harris Lake County Park will be closed to the public until 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 in order to host the Triangle Sprint and Mini-Sprint.

PARK CLOSING TIME CHANGE

Beginning on Monday, May 22:

Harris Lake County Park will close at 9 p.m.

The New Hill parking area (1309 New Hill-Olive Chapel Rd.) on the American Tobacco Trail will lock at 8:30 p.m. Restrooms at New Hill and White Oak will automatically lock at 8:15 p.m.

2023 INSTAGRAM PHOTO CONTEST

To enter, just visit any Wake County park or preserve and snap a photo that represents the monthly theme. Be sure to tag your photos on Instagram #WakeParks365 and the name of the park.

The May theme is Best Black and White Photo!

We can't wait to see your photos from #HarrisLake and #AmericanTobaccoTrail!

FY24 WAKE COUNTY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS

Wake County wants to know what you think about next year’s budget! The Board of Commissioners will host four public hearings across the county to listen to your feedback:

Tuesday, May 9, 6 p.m., Wake Tech RTP Campus, 10908 Chapel Hill Rd., Morrisville

Monday, May 15, 2 p.m., Wake County Justice Center Board Chambers, 301 S. McDowell St., Raleigh

Monday, May 15, 7 p.m., Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh

Tuesday, May 16, 6 p.m., Zebulon Town Hall, 1003 Arendell Ave., Zebulon

Can’t make it in person? Submit your written comments about the budget online by Friday, May 19 at 5 p.m.

To learn more about the budget and submit comments visit wake.gov/budget.

Monthly Volunteer Workday

Wednesday, May 17; 1 - 3 p.m.

Help staff remove debris and repair the NC Game Lands fencing that borders the American Tobacco Trail.

Meet at the New Hill parking area

(1309 New Hill- Olive Chapel Rd., Apex). Bring your own work gloves and a water bottle, wear sun/insect protection and perhaps long sleeves as contact with poison ivy is a possibility.

https://forms.office.com/g/9E1x5cNmh9

Happy 20th Anniversary to the Wake County section of the American Tobacco Trail!

In celebration of this important milestone, we will have special anniversary events, programs, and giveaways all year long! We'll also be sharing fun, historical photos and facts about the trail on the 20th of every month on social media. Learn more at wakegov.com/parks/ATT and stay tuned to this page.

#ATT20

This month, we are highlighting the many events at the American Tobacco Trail over the years!

The ATT is a great spot for training and running events, which many have discovered over the years. The Tobacco Road Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and the NC Roadrunners 10-miler is the longest-running event we’ve hosted at 16 years! The Pawsitively Spooky Run and Pet Fest is our newest (and possibly cutest) event. Check out those amazing costumes! Other events the ATT has hosted include Water for People 5K and Myles of Great Hopes 6K. ATT events have helped raise money for the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy, American Red Cross, Wake County SPCA, Dog Warriors and more.

We love seeing people come together, whether it’s for beating personal records, fundraising for charity, training or simply fun. Thank you to event organizers for choosing us as your host site!

Nature Nook: From Forest Back to Field

Our partnership with the New Hill Hunter Education and Mentoring Program (NH HEMP) has led to re-establishment of one of our fields and our meadow used for educational purposes. Volunteers spent hours on Saturday, April 15^th removing young trees and invasive species that started to convert our once maintained fields into forest. Trees removed were added to nearby brush piles for the park's wildlife. Thank you NH HEMP volunteers for helping to remove invasive species and create diverse habitat within Harris Lake County Park!

Harris Lake County Park

2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC 27562

(919) 387-4342

Email: harris.lake@wakegov.com

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