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Wake County breaks ground on Kellam Wyeth County Park after land donation and bond funding
Summary
Wake County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for Kellam Wyeth County Park on land donated by the Kellam Wyeth family. County leaders said the 2021 master plan and a recent vote to use 2018 parks bond funds will advance construction; contractors and design teams were recognized.
Wake County officials and staff marked the start of construction on Kellam Wyeth County Park at a ceremonial groundbreaking, celebrating a land donation and the county’s decision to apply funds from a 2018 parks bond toward the project.
Chris Snow, director of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space, said the county first began discussing the property in 2018 after the City of Oaks Foundation connected staff with landowners Susan Wyatt, her late husband Bob Kellum, and their daughter Leelyn. "We want to donate this land to the county for a park," Snow said, describing the family's offer as "the best kinds of deals." Snow also noted the county adopted a master plan for the site in 2021 and that the Board of Commissioners voted last month to use part of the 2018 Parks, Recreation, Greenways and Open Space bond to build the park.
Susan Evans, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, said parks are central to the county’s quality of life as the area grows. "The estimates now is that we still have about 66 people a day moving into Wake County," Evans said, noting recent openings and upcoming county park projects. She described planned site features she had seen in the schematics as "demo gardens, fruit trees, walking paths and a playground."
Speaking for county staff, David (transcript: "David Els") called the ceremony "more than just a construction milestone," saying the park will honor the land’s agricultural and natural history and provide new recreational space for residents. He acknowledged the City of Oaks Foundation (conservation easement holder) and named the project team, including landscape architect Design Workshop; Eileen Casulli Architects; contractor TCC Enterprises; structural engineer Lynch Mickens; civil engineer MV5; and MEP firm Sigma. David also said the county plans to place 10 bluebird boxes on the property, each branded with a commemorative coin honoring the family's gift.
Officials publicly recognized Susan Wyatt and the family for donating the land and thanked voters who approved the county’s parks bond in 2018. The ceremony transitioned to ceremonial shovels and photo opportunities; officials did not provide a construction completion date during the event.
