It would’ve been funded and built ASAP had the idiot new councilmembers voted to approve a 30-story rezoning on adjacent property a developer had requested…
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Was the funding not included with the parks bond? At least for the basic option? Maybe the developer was willing to kick in for some of the enhanced options?
I believe funding was included in the parks bond, yes. So maybe the developer contribution would have just freed up some parks money for other projects (which would have been nice). I think the biggest loss was some real sidewalks on that part of West Street that would come with a new development. Hope that it still happens eventually. Not too sure it would have sped up the Smokey Hollow Park tho.
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The full project wasn’t funded with the parks bond as a concession to get the parks bond passed as I remember. But, phase 1 of Smoky Hollow Park is still a BIG improvement and there was (is) hope that there will be a private/public partnership to help with the subsequent phase(s). Of course one of those ships sailed with that rezoning being denied…
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Smoky Hollow Park Open House
Location: Halifax Park Community Center, 1023 Halifax St., Raleigh
Date: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023
Time: 10am – 2pm
Draft schematic design plans will be available for review. City staff and the project design team will be available for project updates, comments, and questions. This event will be family friendly.
The schematic design phase follows the Raleigh City Council approval of the Smoky Hollow Park Concept Plan in November 2022.
- As approved in the Concept Plan, the park is being designed as a passive park with pedestrian pathways and boardwalks; plazas along Peace and West Streets; stream overlooks; and extensively landscaped and naturalized areas.
- The centerpiece of the park design is the restoration of Pigeon House Branch, realigned to flow through the park.
- Constructed wetlands will work with the improved stream to mitigate flooding and improve water quality.
- The voter-approved 2022 Raleigh Parks Bond funds this project’s design and construction.
An online video presentation and survey will be posted on the project web site during the week prior to the open house. We invite all to view the project video, attend the open house, and take the survey. Feedback gathered will help Raleigh Parks refine details of the park design.
For details on the project and engagement opportunities , please visit the project web site here or search Smoky Hollow Park at RaleighNC.gov. Project questions can be directed to smokyhollowpark@publicinput.com.
For information on the 2022 Raleigh Parks Bond, please click here.
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New wral piece on the park
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…Skate Park 
This was an informative article. The site is very contaminated and there is a lot of environmental remediation to be done. Construction on the actual park is not scheduled to start until 2025 with the park opening in 2027.
Right now the plazas are not included in the allocated funding and from the comments on the project page, it seems a lot of people are okay with that and would prefer this be a mostly natural area with a focus on the stream.
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It’s my hope that the restoration of this park will migrate eastward to Capital Boulevard itself, including the median. The renovation of this stretch feels incomplete without any plantings. As the city of oaks, it would seem to me that this north vehicular entrance to the city center should be lined with them! 
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Willow Oaks out there along the median would be preeeettty schweek…
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Don’t think this got posted yet…
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So, after 10 years and when it’s finally finished, its freaking entrance isn’t even a core funded part of the project. That’s pathetic.
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10 years…Still lots of funding needed for the plazas proposed…Too bad that rezoning got the kibosh!
Nice work Glenwood Brooklyn…
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I’ve left my feedback already. But it’d be nice to get a permanent coffee shop/cafe in the park.
I think this park will be nice. But it does have so much more potential than the current proposal.
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I love the fact that this park is going to be the first nature-based and stormwater improvement park in Raleigh or at least downtown, that I’m aware of. 
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There is a current RFQ up for the current place.
Looking at the numbers involved, it seems like a sweetheart of a deal. City helping upfit the space, paying electricity, and charging very low rent.
Should be a lot of options for the city to choose from. Wonder if they’ll ask for public input.
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I like the park design, but hope we get a big time makeover of West St. to accompany it.
Ridiculous it took 10 years on city own land to finish but maybe the pollution was a bigger deal than I realize.
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Took the words right out of my mouth. As much as I agree i.e. “Nice work Glenwood/Brooklyn…” it was the Council that bowed down to the vocal minority that demanded the denial - The City is failing us.
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