Strategic Initiatives Advance with Openings of Fire Station 3, Middle Creek Greenway
Two ribbon cuttings in one month! With the ribbon cuttings for both Fire Station 3 and Middle Creek Greenway, the Town of Holly Springs is experiencing the fulfillment of significant strategic priorities identified by the Town Council.
“These two major projects represent a substantial investment in the community’s future, enhancing public safety and providing regional recreational opportunities,” said Mayor Sean Mayefskie. “We are also in the process of planning a spring groundbreaking for Eagles Landing Park, and we can’t wait to get this milestone project underway.”
Additionally, progress continues on other strategic initiatives, including continued construction of an Operations Campus, and expansion of the Town’s water and wastewater capacities.
Fire Station 3
Keeping up with growth in the northwest region, the new Fire Station 3 at 114 Cinder Station Road near the Carolina Springs neighborhood features a single-story, three-bay building that can accommodate up to 16 firefighters. It also includes a small area for the Holly Springs police, expanding their footprint throughout the community.
In addition to key safety components, such as modern decontamination technology that pressurizes the apparatus bay to keep contaminants out of living quarters, the station also includes amenities that make it a comfortable space for the firefighters stationed there.
“Fire Station 3 is strategically located in northwest Holly Springs, where we’re seeing a growing number of residents and businesses and are anticipating future growth,” said Fire Chief LeRoy Smith. “We are thrilled to see our firefighters in this new, modern facility equipped with technology to protect our team as they serve our community.”
Middle Creek Greenway
Residents are excited about a nearly 3-mile off-street greenway, generally following the path of Middle Creek between Sunset Lake and Holly Springs roads. Following a planned ribbon cutting in mid-March, residents can access the greenway from neighborhood connections or use the greenway parking lot at the westernmost end of Lockley Road.
The new paved greenway in Holly Springs adds miles to a shorter greenway segment that followed a mostly dirt path. In addition to connecting with major town thoroughfares, residents of Arbor Creek, Bridgewater, Woodcreek, and Sunset Ridge North will also enjoy neighborhood access points. The greenway will also provide a regional link via the Town of Apex’s Middle Creek Greenway, currently under construction.
“Middle Creek Greenway is a key connection for our community that links neighborhoods, parks, and eventually even other towns, creating opportunities for recreation, healthy living, and a stronger sense of community,” said Holly Springs Parks & Recreation Director LeeAnn Plumer. “We’re incredibly proud to open this new greenway that provides a safe and scenic space for walking, biking, and simply enjoying the outdoors.”
Infrastructure Investments
In addition to recreational and public safety projects, the Town is busy constructing initiatives to advance the services provided to residents every day of the year.
While preliminary work has been ongoing for months, construction on the buildings that will comprise the first phase of the Operations Campus is beginning this summer. The first phase includes a convenience center for yard waste drop off; a two-story, 42,000-square-foot administration building with offices and meeting space; and a 38,000-square-foot building with warehouse and office space for Public Works staff, equipment, and supplies. Adjacent to the Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility in the Holly Springs Business Park, the facility is anticipated to open in 2026.
Work also continues on expanding the Town’s drinking water and wastewater treatment capacities. For drinking water, the Town of Holly Springs is partnering with other local municipalities to expand the City of Sanford’s water treatment facility. The initiative will allow Holly Springs to tap into an additional drinking water resource to meet the future needs of our growing community. Additionally, Holly Springs is partnering with Fuquay-Varina to construct a 14-mile water conveyance line from the City of Sanford to both communities. Construction is anticipated to extend through 2027. Simultaneously, the Town is working to expand its wastewater treatment capacity from 6 million gallons per day to 8 million gallons per day by 2027.
Find details on these and other Holly Springs endeavors under the “Projects & Initiatives” tab of the Town’s website, www.hollyspringsnc.gov.
Eagles Landing Park
Construction is about to begin on the first park west of N.C. 55. Eagles Landing Park, funded by voter-approved bonds, will include a multi-generational indoor recreation center; outdoor splash pad; lighted pickleball courts, basketball courts, and turf fields; an all-wheels skatepark; and more — all designed to serve the growing community. The 56-acre park site is located on Cass Holt Road across from Holly Springs High School.
A spring groundbreaking ceremony is planned as active construction work is beginning soon. The park’s opening is anticipated at the end of 2027, though certain park amenities, such as multipurpose fields, potentially could open earlier.
More information: hollyspringsnc.gov/eagleslanding
Suburban Living’s Amy Kaufmann caught up with Director of Holly Springs Parks and Rec LeeAnn Plumer to learn more about the park and its recent distinction:
Holly Springs is preparing for the next phase of Eagles Landing Park. Soon there will be construction trucks and workers on Cass Holt Road, laying the foundation for the new park. They will be completing road improvements, grading, utilities and site work so that construction of park amenities can start this summer.
Within the project timeline, the team is entering the final phase of design. And for those of you who have built or remodeled a house, you know all the little details the team is reviewing. From the color of the slide to the height of the pickleball court fence to the type of turf on the fields (and yes, even the flooring and cabinet fixtures for the rec center), they’re deciding all of the aspects that will make Eagles Landing Park a joy for our community.
“Right now, we’re making sure everything will be safe, functional, future-proof and fun for our community,” Ms. Plumer told me.
While chatting with Ms. Plumer, what I became most excited about is that the park will grow with my kids. The playground and splash pad are perfect for right now, but as they get older, I’m sure the skatepark will become the place to be. Not to mention, the park will be a space that I can enjoy as an adult, too. I look forward to having another option for walking our dog on the new greenway trails, or to finally take up pickleball!
This multi-generational approach and the variety of amenities are big reasons why Eagles Landing Park was awarded the 2024 “Great Healthy Place” by the North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association. The award celebrates community spaces that encourage active lifestyles and well-being for all of the town’s citizens.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for all the hard work that has gone into Eagles Landing Park so far,” Ms. Plumer said. “We took the time to understand our community needs now and as we grow in the future. So to be recognized by peers and other municipalities for that understanding is a wonderful feeling.”
Eagles Landing Park will be an amazing complement to the other parks in Holly Springs.
