William B. Umstead State Park Coverage

Advocates for Umstead Park challenge property lines with RDU

Advocates for Umstead State Park in Raleigh say they've discovered a surveying error in 1976 that wrongly included 14 acres of park land with an adjacent property purchased by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. They say a new state survey is needed before Wake Stone builds a new quarry on that site.

Quarry opponents call for new survey of Umstead State Park

Advocates for Umstead State Park in Raleigh say they've discovered a surveying error in 1976 that wrongly included 14 acres of park land with an adjacent property purchased by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. They say a new state survey is needed before Wake Stone builds a new quarry on that site.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Discovering nature's wonders: The best parks to see wildlife in the Triangle

Discover wildlife wonders in Triangle parks like Umstead, Jordan Lake and Eno River. Perfect for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Kaila Curry, Audience Engagement Producer

These free things to do in Raleigh will keep your kids busy during winter break and beyond

Are you interested in having a day out in Raleigh without breaking the bank? Here are 7 of the best free things to do in Raleigh.

The best family-friendly places to bike in the Triangle

Explore the best family-friendly and easy bike parks in the Triangle with our comprehensive guide, now featuring additional trails like the American Tobacco Trail and Art Museum Loop. Find the perfect biking adventure for your family in North Carolina's vibrant Triangle region.

Kaila Curry, WRAL audience engagement producer

Romantic escapes: Best Triangle parks for a perfect first date

Explore the most enchanting parks in North Carolina's Triangle region for a memorable first date. Discover ideal settings shared by locals and enjoy the beauty of nature and art.

Kaila Curry, Audience Engagement Producer

Best parks to see fall leaves in the Triangle

From the extensive trails of William B. Umstead State Park to the artistic landscapes of the North Carolina Museum of Art Park, explore the top spots to witness the changing colors of the leaves.

Kaila Curry, WRAL audience engagement producer

Outdoors in Raleigh: 5 city spaces that offer fall escape

It's no secret that Raleigh is a wonderful city known for outdoor adventures and plenty of nature.

Abandoned mills, homes, graves hidden in woods at Umstead Park date back to 1800s

Before the modern day hiking trails, Umstead Park had a different kind of adventure: The land was home of an entire community--with mills, schools, churches and farms--and those ruins are still hidden out in the woods.

Heather Leah, WRAL digital journalist

State denies expansion of quarry, mining on site near RDU, Umstead Park

A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Tuesday against an attempt by an environmental group to void a lease for a gravel mine near Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

State parks system reports record number of visitors

The North Carolina parks system saw nearly 23 million visitors at its 41 parks, recreation areas and natural areas.

By Bryan Anderson, WRAL statehouse reporter

TOM EARNHARDT: Now. No better time and place

Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 -- Although the pandemic still rages and more vigilance is required, let us all focus on the institutions and people who have supported us and gotten us through a year of crisis. I intend to honor the medical and science communities. I will celebrate the courts and the rule of law in which they are grounded. I will give thanks for the farmers, service providers, and truck drivers. More than ever, I will value the thousands volunteers in elections, civil rights, conservation, education, and the arts who make my life richer. Finally, I will redouble my love and commitment to family and friends with whom I have laughed, cried, and Zoomed through the year.

Appeals court upholds lease for quarry near RDU

A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Tuesday against an attempt by an environmental group to void a lease for a gravel mine near Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

State denies permit for RDU perimeter fence

State regulators have denied an environmental permit for an 18-mile fence Raleigh-Durham International Airport officials want to build around the airport.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

TOM EARNHARDT: Our intertwined, interdependent communities

Sunday, June 7, 2020 -- We are one community, on one small patch of earth, and we depend on each other. I do not know the farmer who provides my milk and cheese and do not know if he looks like me, but I depend on him. When I arrive at RDU Airport to begin a journey, I do not know if the pilot of the airplane will be of Asian, African, or European descent, but I depend on her. The doctors, nurses, and technicians who care for me when I am ill, represent the spectrum of ethnicities and religions. I depend on them.

Increase in car break-ins at Umstead Park, state begins to install security cameras

Two cars were broken into on Tuesday night in a parking lot in Umstead park.

Mountains, trails and oceans: Bill Leslie's new adventure through state parks of NC

Bill Leslie is embarking on a journey to visit the diverse grandeur that is the State of North Carolina's state parks. Send him your favorite parks, your stories and your memories to help with his adventure.

Bill Leslie, WRAL contributor

RDU perimeter fence on hold

A proposed 18-mile fence along Raleigh-Durham International Airport's borders is on hold while airport officials seek a compromise arrangement with neighboring Umstead State Park.

RDU to hikers, bikers: 'We're not a park'

Raleigh-Durham International Airport officials said Thursday that hikers and mountain bikers have been trespassing on airport property for years, and a controversial 18-mile fence along the border of the property is needed to keep them out.

RDU officials: Proposed fence needed to keep trespassers out

Raleigh-Durham International Airport officials said Thursday that hikers and mountain bikers have been trespassing on airport property for years, and a controversial 18-mile fence along the border of the property is needed to keep them out.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

Proposed security fence for RDU Airport not sitting well with users of nearby park

Groups fighting plans for a rock quarry on land owned by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport are now protesting the plan to build a border fence.

Bryan Mims, WRAL News reporter

Proposed fence for RDU draws outrage from park users

WRAL's Bryan Mims reports a proposed fence for RDU's property could go across a popular path at a park in Raleigh. That's made a lot of the park users upset.

Judge rules in favor of RDU over land-lease issue

A judge has ruled in favor of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in a lawsuit over the land-lease agreement between the group and Wake Stone Coropation.

Crews pull wrecked plane from Umstead

Crews worked Tuesday to remove the wreckage of a small plane that crashed into Umstead State Park Sunday night.

Crews removed wrecked plane from Umstead State Park

Crews removed the wrecked Piper PA32 plane on Monday after it crashed on approach to RDU Sunday night, killing Dr. Harvey Partridge and Patricia Partridge.