🐸 About Friends of the Raleigh Greenway (FRoG) 🐸

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 Early Vision & Planning (1970s)
The idea for Raleigh’s greenway system emerged in the early 1970s as a response to rapid urban growth and frequent flooding, particularly along Crabtree Creek. City leaders envisioned a “park within a city,” a bold concept that blended urban planning with natural preservation.

In 1972, William L. Flournoy Jr., a recent NC State graduate, presented a visionary plan to the City of Raleigh. His proposal outlined a network of public trails along Raleigh’s creeks and floodplains—designed to manage stormwater, preserve wildlife corridors, and create accessible recreational spaces. His work became the foundation of what we now know as the Capital Area Greenway.

Adoption & Development
By 1974, Raleigh City Council officially adopted the Capital City Greenway plan. Land acquisition and early construction began soon after, with the first greenway segments opening to the public by the mid-1970s.

Expansion Over the Decades
Over the following decades, the city steadily expanded the system, linking parks, neighborhoods, schools, and community centers. By the early 2000s, the greenway exceeded 100 miles of trail, becoming one of the largest urban greenway networks in the country.

Today’s Trail Network
Today, Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway includes more than 120 miles of trails and over 3,700 acres of protected land. It serves as a model for green infrastructure and is integrated into larger regional trail systems like the East Coast Greenway and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Why this History Matters?

What began as a visionary idea to preserve Raleigh’s natural landscapes has grown into a vital asset for transportation, recreation, environmental conservation, and community well-being. This history reinforces why ongoing investment, advocacy, and stewardship—like the work led by Friends of the Raleigh Greenway—remain essential to its future.

Friends of the Raleigh Greenway (FRoG) was founded by a group of neighbors, outdoor enthusiasts, and community advocates who share a deep love for Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway system. What began as a few conversations during neighborhood walks quickly grew into a grassroots effort to protect, promote, and enhance one of the city’s most expansive public assets.

We believe Raleigh’s greenways are more than just trails—they are places where nature, wellness, equity, and community intersect. They:

• Connect people to parks, schools, jobs, and each other
   
• Promote health and well-being through safe outdoor activity
   
• Preserve natural spaces in a rapidly growing urban environment
   
• Create access to nature for residents of all backgrounds and abilities
   

Yet despite their value, greenways are often underfunded, overlooked, or vulnerable to development pressures. Gaps in the trail network, invasive species, and a lack of awareness threaten the long-term health and reach of the system. That’s why we created FRoG. We work to:

• Encourage use of the greenways for recreation, transportation, and connection
   
• Enhance the experience through public art, native plantings, and cleanups
   
• Collaborate with the City of Raleigh and partner groups on trail improvement projects
   
• Advocate for equitable access and long-term greenway investment
   

Our vision is simple but bold: a fully connected, well-maintained, and widely loved greenway system that benefits every Raleigh resident—regardless of neighborhood, income, or ability.

We’re here to celebrate the greenways, support their growth, and ensure they remain a defining feature of Raleigh for generations to come.

Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway is one of the city’s most valuable public assets—over 120 miles of connected trails that weave through neighborhoods, parks, wetlands, and woodlands. It’s more than a place to walk or bike—it’s a lifeline for public health, environmental sustainability, transportation equity, and community connection.

But greenways don’t sustain themselves. They need care, advocacy, and investment to remain safe, accessible, and vibrant. That’s where Friends of the Raleigh Greenway (FRoG) comes in.

We believe Raleigh’s greenways are essential infrastructure—as important to the city as roads, schools, and utilities. They:

• Improve community health by providing safe, car-free spaces for exercise and mental well-being.

• Support climate resilience by preserving tree canopy and managing stormwater
   
•  Connect people and places—linking homes to jobs, parks, schools, and public spaces
   
• Advance equity by offering access to nature across all neighborhoods, regardless of income
   

Yet, the system faces growing challenges: disconnected segments, aging infrastructure, invasive species, and gaps in accessibility.

FRoG responds with action. We:

• Advocate for greenway expansions that prioritize access and connectivity
   
• Enhance trails with native plantings, public art, and environmental stewardship
   
• Engage volunteers in cleanups and community events
   
• Collaborate with the City of Raleigh and partner organizations to support long-term funding and planning
   

Our vision is simple: a fully connected, equitably accessible, and beautifully maintained greenway system that serves every Raleigh resident.

By supporting FRoG, you’re investing in a healthier, more connected, and more resilient Raleigh—for today and for generations to come.