Marilyn Alphin describes herself as “an ordinary Raleigh citizen.” After retiring from the Wake County School System in 2010 she settled into the quiet peaceful townhome community, Ridgeloch, located in North Raleigh across from Shelly Lake. Since 2015, she has served on the Board of Directors for the HOA and is currently vice-president. Her tranquility was disturbed last summer (2022) when the Parks Board contacted Towne Properties asking for a meeting to discuss relocating the current Ironwood Trail* behind 14 units (3 buildings) of her beloved community. That’s when she transitioned from an “ordinary citizen” to a “community activist.”
Marilyn spoke to City Council on September 12, 2023:
I have lived in Raleigh for nearly 40 years, and this is the first time an issue has brought me downtown to speak; first to the Parks Advisory Board and now to you, the City Council. It has truly been an educational enlightenment. You all have so many gigantic issues to resolve; transportation, housing, zoning, and the list goes on and on. I commend you. When I think about our plight to prevent 300 yards of real estate from being relocated behind 14 units of our townhomes, I realize we are so small, microscopic, in your sea of complex issues. So, my question is:
Do we count?
Do we matter?
Mayor Baldwin, Ms. Patton, Ms. Jones, Ms. Forte;
You all serve on a committee to promote “safe, vibrant, and healthy neighborhoods.”
Does that include us?
Do we count?
The good news is that we already have that in Ridgeloch. The bad news is that to put a Greenway 20-50 feet from the back decks of our homes would destroy those ideals. Whether it is an open fence with constant exposure to Greenway traffic or a solid fence that would turn a home into a prison, this would destroy our safe, vibrant, and healthy neighborhood.
Ms. Jones and Ms. Black
You serve on the historical resources and historical development committees. Our Greenway is the envy of the nation. Where is its history showcased? Do any of you know the name William Flournoy?
He was an NC State graduate student who presented his master’s thesis to the City Council in the late 1960s with an idea to create “A park with a city inside it.” His vision came into reality in 1977 when the first trail was opened, Ironwood Trail. This was the birth of the Raleigh Greenway. If William Flournoy is the “Father of the Greenway” then the “Mother Trail” is Ironwood.
Is this not worth saving?
If so, leadership will have to come from the City Council. Parks has no interest in their history.
Ms. Jones and Ms. Black I hope you will take the lead to preserve this historic part of the Greenway.
By saving the past, we can build on the future so that generations to come can continue to enjoy this beloved, iconic, historic, part of the Raleigh Greenway.
Don’t let this die on your watch.
The Ridgeloch community would appreciate your support in preventing the City from acquisitioning our property in order for the Parks Department to construct a cheap, easy fix, fast lane through our backyards.
Option 1 keeps the Ironwood trail between the two bridges where it has been for almost 50 years.
Contact us at Ridgeloch.test@gmail for more information.
You can sign our petition here: Save Mine Creek Trail
You can also support us by contacting City Council members via email here: Contact City Council
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