I came across this proposal recently and wanted to share it because I thought it was exceptionally well done.
A team consisting of Surface 678, SfL+a, and Preston Montague recently earned 1st place in the Wake County Community Design Challenge with a concept called The Oakline.
The proposal envisions a tree-lined pedestrian and bicycle promenade connecting Dorothea Dix Park to Downtown Raleigh, stretching from The Grove at Dix Park to Lichtin Plaza at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
What stood out to me is that this isn’t just another greenway concept. It’s designed to create a safe, accessible, and inviting connection between two of Raleigh’s biggest destinations while strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, and creating a signature public space for the city.
The project won the juried competition and will be presented at the 2026 Greater Raleigh Chamber Growth & Development Summit.
Whether or not this exact proposal is ever built, I think it’s a compelling vision for how Raleigh can become a more connected and walkable city.