Do we count? Do we matter?

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 October 10, 2023: 

The last time I was here concerning Mine Creek, I asked you a question:

In your sea of gigantic issues: Do We Count, Do We Matter?

It is obvious that we did not matter in the Parks decision to relocate one of the most popular Greenway trails in the backyard of 14 of our townhomes.

During our interactions with the Parks Board, we invited them to come see with their own eyes how a trail this close would impact our homes; the came and they saw; they saw people walking around inside their homes; you could see what they were doing; what they were wearing;, we even attracted the attention of dogs, which barked almost the entire time we were there.

We now thought, Yes, they see us” “they understand.”

But this was their solution: Put us behind a wall; 8 feet high, over a football field in length. Make us invisible.

But look at this fence from the Ridgeloch side; only 20 feet from the back steps of Kay’s home along with 14 other homes; And based on its N/S orientation, the Ridgeloch side will never see sunlight. And this is a forever wall.

The time is coming when each of you must decide which side of this fence do you place your values.

Will it be with the Ridgeloch Community that is fighting for their right to exist as a safe, vibrant, and healthy neighborhood in a beautiful, natural setting they have enjoyed for 40 years.

Or will it be with Parks Board. If you allow them to take our land, this will surely go down as the “Deal of the Decade”. What a bargain they get. They can totally abandon the trail and stream that has been neglected for years; not have to lift a finger to replace a bridge, repair a trail, stabilize a stream.

But who has to sacrifice for this great Parks bargain? Everyone here knows the answer: just townhome people: You must decide “Do they count? Do they Matter?

I’m aware for some of you, we may not be on your radar, but we are not invisible. We are here to be seen and heard; And we have been. Your decision will reverberate throughout this city.

So, I am asking, on behalf of the Ridgeloch Community and of the 1000’s of trail uses that consider Ironwood and its two bridges the “soul” of the Greenway, we ask you to be on our side of the fence.

There is another way. There is another way. And there has been for the last 20 years.

I leave here trusting you have the wisdom and will to find it.

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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