Residents are asked to share their thoughts to help develop a vision and master plan for Kellam-Wyatt Farm—the newest member of the Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space family.
The History
The three-generation family farm and woodland sanctuary is located off New Bern Avenue between Raleigh and Knightdale. This 59-acre, lush property of woods, lakes and trails has much to offer in natural beauty, wildlife habitat and sustainable, educational agriculture.
In 2018, the Wake County Board of Commissioners accepted the donation of the farm from Susan Wyatt, her late husband, Robert (Bob) Kellam, and his daughter, Leewyn Kellam. The property was donated with a conservation easement, which means the land is legally limited to certain uses that support conservation values such as open space, scenic views, habitat and watershed protection, preservation of rural character and agricultural production.
“As Wake County’s population has skyrocketed, and fields and forests have been replaced with roofs and pavement, our determination to preserve and share open space with future generations has been reinforced,” Susan Wyatt said in April 2018. “We feel confident that Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space will be an excellent steward for the future of the farm.”
The Future
A public process is now underway to develop a Kellam-Wyatt Farm vision and master plan that will protect the site’s natural and agricultural character while allowing for public access, education and recreation.
With COVID-19 limiting how people can gather, the county is unable to hold in-person community meetings to gather feedback. But residents are encouraged to learn about the property and share their thoughts online or by phone.
Full details, including a visual tour and survey, are available in English and Spanish at wakegov.com/kellamwyatt. Residents without access to the internet can call 919-856-6670 to request hard copies of materials and provide feedback.
In the next phase of the planning process, the county will translate initial ideas and feedback into a conceptual site plan. Another round of public review will follow, and a refined master plan will be presented to the Wake County Board of Commissioners for approval.
The county hopes to complete the master plan by early spring, then move into design development and ultimately construction over the next few years.
