Our Water, Our Land Places: Swift Creek Bottomlands

By Marvin Furman

Located off of Holly Springs Road, across the from TLC’s Swift Creek Bluffs, this property is reminiscent of a piedmont forest prior to the advent of the white man. The land includes a mixed hardwood forest with several significant specimen trees. Two tributaries of Swift Creek run through the property. Hawks, owls and warblers are just a few of the bird species that make their home here.

TLC purchased this property at the prompting of Raleigh, Cary and Wake County to partner in the development of a trail connection on Swift Creek between Holly Springs and Lake Wheeler. TLC was the catalyst for this action as the land in question was outside the jurisdiction of both Raleigh and Cary.

TLC purchased the land, valued at $1.9 million, from local developer Glenn Futrell at a bargain price of $700,000. Proceeds for this purchase came from the Land Opportunity Fund of the Our Water, Our Land campaign. The property was then transferred to Wake County who reimbursed TLC. That reimbursement will allow TLC to acquire future land projects.

For the present and immediate future, this property will remain in its natural state. TLC’s involvement allows the option of later adding this to the Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve, expanding it to over 100 acres. Another benefit is that these tracts will provide water protection to Swift Creek and increase the protected plant and wildlife habitat.

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