Creating a Sustainable Future

NOTE: This article appears in the Fall 2018 issue of the Wellness and Recreation Alumni magazine.

NC State Wellness and Recreation was awarded $10,000 through the Sustainability Fund to improve conditions at Lake Raleigh Woods. One of 10 initiatives selected, the money provides funding for a professional trail designer to develop new routes and the creation of information at trailhead entrances.

To provide students with opportunities to use Centennial Campus for outdoor recreation, Nathan Williams, assistant director of outdoor adventures, approached the Lake Raleigh Woods advisory council with an idea. Citing recommendations such as combating trail erosion in the advisory council’s management plan, Williams developed a concept for implementing multi-use trails.

“We’ll have beginner mountain biking trails and hiking trails. We want to accommodate students to try biking for the first time, as well as getting on the trails to explore,” said Williams.

Collaborating with campus offices such as the Office of Sustainability as well as student groups such as the NC State Cycling club and NC State Stewards, Wellness and Recreation participated in a cleanup day of Lake Raleigh. Held Sunday, April 22, 2018, more than 70 volunteers collected 800 pounds of trash and recycling.

The group also began work on the existing trails, moving the trailheads to a more accessible area.

Designated as one of eight “Hallowed Spaces” on campus, Lake Raleigh Woods is a 96-acre space.

Williams hopes that the work done at Lake Raleigh Woods creates momentum for the NC State community to adopt the area.

“I think any natural space needs to be managed. The community has a chance to really adopt Lake Raleigh Woods and the trails and care for it in a way that it hasn’t been before,” said Williams.

Trail work begins later this summer and is scheduled for completion by April 2019, to coincide efforts with Earth Month.

Wellness and Recreation received $28,000 in 2017 through the Sustainability Fund. The fund allowed the installation of solar-powered scoreboards at Method Road Complex.