Wake County approves 20-year lease to continue operating much of Lake Crabtree County Park

The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 16 to authorize the county manager to execute a lease with the Raleigh‑Durham Airport Authority for county operation of roughly 69.87 acres at Lake Crabtree County Park.

The vote authorizes county staff to finalize and sign a lease for an initial 20‑year term with two optional 10‑year renewals. Under terms described to commissioners, the first year’s rent is $214,488 with a 3% annual escalation; every fifth anniversary the lease may be adjusted to fair market value by appraisal.

Parks and Open Space Director Chris Snow told the board the new lease covers Tracts 2, 3 and 4 (roughly 70 acres) and preserves the park’s waterfront amenities — boat rental and launch, fishing platforms, picnic areas and parking — while excluding Track 6 where airport development has closed the mountain‑bike trails. Snow said the county acquired almost 900 acres for the Lake Crabtree site in earlier decades, that Lake Crabtree opened as a county park in 1988, and that last fiscal year the park drew about 330,000 visitors.

Snow said planned county renovations are funded from the 2018 parks bond and include trail enhancements and improvements to picnic and program spaces. When Commissioner Stallings asked whether renovations will preserve natural areas, Snow said staff are in early programmatic design and “would minimize any impact to the natural environment,” but added he could not guarantee that no healthy trees would be cut during future construction.

Commissioners pressed for clarity about the trails and future partnerships. Snow said the 286 property (leased from RDU in 2017 and managed by the county for multi‑use trails) remains open and that staff are discussing expanded connections with North Carolina State Parks into Umstead. County Attorney Warren said there is an active lawsuit related to zoning in the airport area and said the county’s legal advice has been consistent; she said she was ethically constrained from commenting on pending litigation.

Commissioner Stallings moved to authorize the county manager to execute the lease subject to terms acceptable to the county attorney; Commissioner Adamson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

If executed, the county will continue phased renovations at Lake Crabtree funded by the 2018 bond and pursue trail work at the 286 property and potential expansion into Umstead State Park in partnership with the state parks division. The lease does not include Track 6, and the board noted RDU (the airport authority) retains authority over development of the excluded parcel.

Votes at the board meeting also included multiple other agenda items (see "Votes at a glance" article for a full list).